NPTAJ President Weighs in on Ascot Graduation Incident

The Ascot Primary School along with its principal have been in the spotlight after the widely criticized graduation exercise that left members of the public disgruntled.

 

 A number of prominent Jamaicans have voiced their disappointment over the matter. Among them, National Parent Teachers Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) President Stewart Jacobs. He says PEP results should not define a child, highlighting that the incident is sending the wrong message.

 

Jacobs said, “Though the principal has come out and he has um he has explained it and he has said that my word in hindsight, it ought not to have happened. It is a wrong message that is being sent to the overall education system because a PEP result, and a PEP exam does not define a child.”

 

He also says no disciplinary action should be taken against the principal but suggests the headmaster should pen a letter indicating this will never happen again.

 

“I think any disciplinary action would be a letter in writing stating that from his boss, which is the school board, stating that that they recognised that this has happened, they accept his explanation, and for certain, it will never happen again.”

 

The NPTJ boss is advising parents to prioritize what is best in terms of spending when it comes to graduations.

 

“Think about it. Do you take the thing from the shelf because it is of a ostentatious brand that you want to spend on it, or you take something that are less price that will give you the same benefits. So, if your child is going to graduate next year, say to the school administration that you do not wish to have your child wear the gown and all of that, or through your PTA lobby to the school administration, let our children graduate in their regular uniform and we will take them out and set them in the afternoon.

 

Meanwhile, the education ministry has indicated as much when pressed for a comment on the matter on Wednesday.

 

Efforts were made to get a comment from the opposition spokesman on education. However, he told CVM News he was at a graduation.