Philipsburg:--- The President of the Windward Island Teachers Union (WITU) Claire Elshot has issued a strong call to parents whose children would be returning to school on Monday. The WITU President said parents of many students go out of their way to purchase Blackberry telephones and other electronic gadgets for their children while some of them don't even have a pen to write with. The long time teacher and owner of the ACE Foundation said that students who have Blackberry telephones don't pay attention to their teachers when in the classroom. She said these students are caught messaging and chatting while in the classroom, thus affecting their academic success. "Parents stay on top of your children's school work and homework assignments and make sure they read a story a day because that can take them a long way. Students need to read more and instead of buying these expensive gadgets for your children make sure they have books so they can read more."
Elshot also made clear that she will remain vigilant throughout the year to make sure teachers' rights are respected and protected. The WITU president said one thing she would like to see happen in elementary schools is the introduction and development of sports. "I will advocate adding sports to the school's curriculum so that we too could have our students participating regionally, internationally, and even in the Olympics."
