Public discusses school of
tomorrow problems
Abdirahman Abdilahi Warsame -- Somaliland
Parents of students in the school of
tomorrow met to discuss school fees and other problems facing
the school.
In his speech the head teacher told the
parents many problems facing the school including the tuition
fee, the
buses and the role of parents in their
children's education. He also talked about a bridge to be built
for the school.
The meeting was held on April 10. Parents
gathered at Panorama Hall, at the center of the city.
The meeting began at 9:30 am with verses
from the Quran, read by one of the teachers.
The head teacher said most of the parents
do not pay the fees on or before due
date, which is the eighth day of each
month, and when their children are sent back “they
come to us complaining.”
The head of the department of finance
urged the parents to pay attention to
the fee issues and respect the principles
laid down by the school which they signed.
Addressing bus drivers, the head teacher
said buses are the backbone of the activities in the school.
Since the school is far away from the city “It would be
impossible for us to work without buses. And because of this we
have called you to discuss the problems of buses.
“Some parents blame you of driving fast
while carrying their children to and from the
school. And this causes them to worry .
Another point is that you do not wait for the young students at
least the three minutes as required in the agreement.”
One of the parents criticized bus-drivers
for not doing their jobs properly.
In response the bus driver said "it is a
humiliation for us to receive such
words from you because the salary we get is
not enough and also comes late. We are not solely dependent on
you.”
The bus driver condemned the head teacher
for burying his head in the sand.
Addressing parents the bus driver said
“If Mr. Gaheir thinks we are dying without this job let him do
what he wants. Here in Somaliland being without job does not
necessarily mean without life.”
It was noted at he meeting that the role
of parents in their children’s education is decreasing.
The head teacher said parents must double
check their children's assignments and home work and make sure
they are not wasting most of their time in front of the TV.
In earlier times the parents were the
pillars of their children's education, but nowadays it
seems as though they are loosing control
over them.
One of the parents went to the stage trying
to mediate between bus-drivers and parents.
He said "the co-bus drivers must not only
stand far and ask ,”where are the students,” but they have to
sometimes joke with the people in the home.
Another parent caused laughter when he
said:
"Do not lead to these boys to be damaged
by men who are so suspicious about their wives.”
The meeting ended without any decisions
made. There was no agreement among the owner of the school, the
principal, bus-drivers and parents.