Thumbs down to our ‘no-fail’ school system

Just recently, I listened to the conversation of a mother who had requested of the school her daughter attended, not to put her to the next level but rather have her repeat because her grades were so low. Her request was refused.

Thinking that something had been misunderstood, I made a general call to the minister of education’s office to ask if what I heard could possibly be correct. To my amazement, I was advised that this was, indeed, correct.

They now, and apparently for some time, have a “no-fail” system. Students now take Level 1, then Level 2 and finally Level 3. Each level entails so may credits. At the end of the Level 3 year, you must have successfully completed the required credits or you do not graduate. Wow! The main thing to remem- ber, though, is that you were never separated from your peers.

What a smack in the head. I’ve just finished Level 3 with all my peers but I am not going to graduate. They are all going on to university or trade school and I can’t. Why? Because I and my few buddies didn’t do a thing during the last three years. We didn’t have to do anything. Sad, because some need that extra push. Without it, you become content with what you do and don’t realize the difference.

Then, what comes easy is the way to go. What comes easy is generally trouble. As was always said, “regardless of how great one’s participation was, in no matter what, let that person, for whatever reason, stop participating and it’s ever so difficult to get back, if ever.”

Apply that to a young student who for three years didn’t put any effort into school, and you will find that all too often they get lost. Lost children are growing in numbers.

Where do we start? From an education point only — is it that our educators have so little responsibility or authority? Is it that our parents have so little authority over these kids? Is it that our justice system needs to review the charter of rights as to limit the personal rights of individuals? I feel that the latter would filter all way down.

I’m sure, too — though off the subject — the latter would greatly improve the efficiency of law enforcement. John Bannister Mount Pearl