The new school year, 2022 to 2023, saw schools across the island reopening doors to their total school populations since early September after a two-year break. Getting children to settle down, the non-payment of school fees, uniform changes, expensive books, increased school lunch prices, and horrendous traffic are among the challenges which some parents are still facing as the new school year completes its first month. Added to these, some books are in short supply.
This “Back in School” update comes from parents located in four parishes interviewed by Freedom Come Rain. While all parents reported that their children from primary to high school age are back in school, they went on to outline some of the challenges faced, as well as potential solutions to the problems. Additionally, FCR sought advice from an established school supplier about the challenges AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
BACK IN SCHOOL BLUES LIST
School Fees and Books
“School fee issues” are the cry from Dolphena MacPherson from St. Thomas and Tashana Cottrell of St. Andrew. Dolphena’s son is 16 years old and attends a prominent corporate area high school. “Number one, I have not completed all for back to school, and I still need to pay school fees and buy books. I am having financial difficulties, explained Dolphena who operates a mobile food vending business. Like Dolphena, Tashanal, a bartender who is mother of four primary school age children, has still not yet bought all the textbooks.
“Books are expensive-$3,000 for one! And I still have one more to get!” says Samarah Hutchinson who recently moved to Portmore, but her 10-year-old daughter still attends a corporate area school. She added that the new school distance is another challenge.
“Traffic is horrendous!” says another parent, Keishagay Boyd, a civil servant who lives in St. Andrew. Unlike Samarah, her child’s school is close to her home. However, the journey to school has become problematic because of the unusual heavy traffic. Keishagay adds that her other challenge is the increased cost of school lunches.
Little or No Worries
Despite these challenges, there are those who report little or no challenges at all! Getting her 10-year-old daughter to settle down to do her class work in a face-to-face environment, is the only complaint from Ruth Keise, a cosmetologist and parent of two, based in the corporate area.
Marcia Taffe does clerical work and takes care of her 15-year-old ward, who attends a corporate area high school. Marcia reports: “The only problem is that the school is short on uniform shirts and ties and so he has to be wearing the old ones, as the school made a uniform change.”
Also worry free is Traicy Ann Ferguson of Westmoreland, who has onechild aged 14 years old. She is proud to report that she had no worries, because of the following reasons: “I budgeted and structured myself. It’s good when both parents are contributing, but if a single parent, still do what you can.” Her advice: “Some books can be reused and recycled. Check with your friends and church family for these books. Not all are workbooks so they can be used again. Don’t wait until last minute to get back- to- school shopping done!”
Book Shortages
As we ponder the aforementioned challenges that some parents face during this new school year, one established educational supplier, Mrs Joy Scott, of Stationery World and Book Centre Ltd, 5 Sandringham Avenue, Kingston 10, outlined the reasons for the shortage of some books.
“Because of shipping some book supplies have been delayed. Also, some books have been revised, and the printing of the revised books (which is done abroad) has been delayed. These aspects Mrs Scott explained add to the expenses of book supplies. Added to this, because suppliers perceive uncertainty in the future, they are not prepared to stock large quantities of any book.” She added: “Some books are not going to be available for the first part of the school year.”
BACK IN SCHOOL: THE WAY FORWARD/ADVICE TO PARENTS
The following list is advice to parents compiled by the parents interviewed for this story “BACK IN SCHOOL-THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
- DO NOT WAIT: Always start your back -to- school preparation start from early and get items one by one( Ruth, Keishagay and Traicy Ann).
- NO REPEAT BUYING. Do not buy what you already have if whatever you need are in good condition. “Some books can be reused, recycled etc. Check with your friends and church family for these books. Not all are workbooks so they can be used again.” (Ruth, Keishagay and Traicy Ann)
- ASK FOR HELP. “I got most book and stationery with the help of my MP (Phillip Paulwell) who gave me book vouchers. My daughter’s aunt in Kingston keeps her overnight, for the days when she has early classes. So, where possible, let family help you!” (Samarah). “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And when you get it be grateful.” (Keishagay)
- PAYMENT PLANS: “I got the uniforms made on credit arrangement.” (Keishagay) Stationary World and Book Centre at 5 Sandringham Avenue, Kingston 10 offers a payment plan once you come with book list. They serve island wide as they use courier services. Call 876-6190931. Whatsapp: 876-2981526
- GET UP EARLY, TO COOK AND TRAVEL: “Lunch prices at school are very high. So, I learn to get up much earlier, and cook lunch for the both of us. And any meal prep you can do on weekends, do it! Plus, the traffic is horrendous, I have had to learn to get up much earlier to drop her off.” (Keishagay)
- DON’T GIVE UP. “Hope for the best and pray. Never give up once there’s life there is hope.” “We have to pray hard and make sacrifices for school” (Tashana & Dolphena)
- TRUST GOD. “I would say trusting God makes all the difference. I only have one child attending and he is 15 years. He got two scholarships for back to school and that took care of things. God is good and awesome; we just have to trust His hands (Marcia).
Editor’s note: Next week, we look closer at the book supply situation in Part 2.
