Dear Editor,

Friday was celebrated world wide as ” World Teachers Day” and it is ironic that the President’s College was the focus of attention in a negative way as we watched on TV and heard the dissenting voices of the students, “No water no school”.

Today we understand that their demands are being looked at and will be remedied maybe by next week. Also classes have been suspended at the initiative of the Guyana Teachers Union.

However, the Minister noted that the protest by way of the media will be investigated and I sensed that there might be reprimands of the dissenters.

It is this that I wish to address here as we celebrate education, that institution of learning so vital for not only one’s survival in the world but the economy today. President’s College was designed to be a college of excellence and I am unsure if that is being attained. I am appealing to the Ministry not to impose harsh sanctions or any against the dissenters.

We need these students, let their voices be heard but in a disciplined manner. Water (potable) is vital for life and the situation was not addressed for too long. One can say that their protest was effective. Far too often in the schools problems have to be drawn to the public’s attention before anything is done. Sometimes it is through the Parents Teachers Association, or teachers themselves.

Don’t stifle the voice of dissent.

Yours faithfully,

(name and address supplied)