DO not turn any child away from your institution because they have not done well in primary school.
This was the stern message from Minister for Education Rosy Akbar to heads of high schools across the country. She made the comment while officiating at the Lautoka Muslim College annual awards ceremony yesterday.
“Many a times we have come across situations, we hear complaints from parents who say this school refuses to enrol my child because he or she has not done well in primary school,” she said.
“If I could put on record, as teachers as educators, we are not allowed to discriminate against any child or deny any child the right to education because the Government, and my ministry, believes in education for all and inclusive education.
“I would like to use this platform to send a very strong message to all school heads to be more sensitive towards the sentiments of our children and be respectful towards the efforts of our parents.”
Ms Akbar urged school heads and teachers to put themselves in the shoes of parents whose students “don’t do well in school”.
“Imagine your child going through such humiliation by not being accepted by a school in your own locality. “Do not make rash and hasty decisions.
“Do not pass degrading comments to parents upon enrolment.
“With open arms please accept every child who wishes to enrol in your school, especially keeping in mind the zoning policy.
“Do not turn away students and parents from your school, I have been flooded with complaints in the last week or so.”
Ms Akbar said she did not want to interfere in the running of schools and the onus was on principals and management to work together with parents and find an amicable solution to the issue.
