The issue of parental involvement in school matters have constantly surfaced in different situations, and they are not merely confined to S. Thomas’ College! Should parents get involved or not is a question to which there are no yes or no answers, as the circumstances themselves vary and thus warrant different treatment. Whatever the outcome of parental involvement, one thing is certain; there is a definite effect on the child’s career.

Some parents will not look at the ups and downs of school life as a necessary learning experience for the child- that which will keep him as he ventures forth into the real world where neither ‘mummy’ nor ‘daddy’ will have any influence. However there are those parents who, in this enthusiasm to be with their child ‘every step of the way’ overstep the invisible boundaries and are perceived, quite understandably as a ‘nuisance’.

Take the issue of children fighting. Children will be children and sometimes one child ends up with a minor injury.

Teachers are most often aware of these skirmishes and the necessary remedial action follows. Parents may quite fairly leave it at that if they can be reassured that there is no repetition of the incident. However, if the parent is dissatisfied with the remedy they sometimes stand up for their aggrieved child and appeal for justice. This of course becomes a nuisance, and most importantly can have a negative effect on the child- in that he can become unpopular. 

There are other instances of interference, in varying situations such as decisions regarding competitions, appointments, and sometimes even trivial matters like who should play which role in a play or who should run which race. Parents by their interference question the tried and tested methods of this prestigious institute simply because it hasn’t favoured their child or their child is unable to ‘fit in’. 

Parents must consider these aspects before they interfere in school matters. It will not only ease the pressure around but will also benefit their child, as he will learn how to deal with a world that does not always cater to his fancy.

Dinith Akmeemana

‘Once, a class was punished for playing hand-cricket. They were put into a class to contemplate their bad behaviour. One of the bored students decided to write this curious letter to the teacher hoping to save their necks. Though the letter, never got to the desired destination, was forwarded by a student to The Ternion’

Request for pardon and permission to leave classroom after punishment for disciplinary violation

The students rendered severe punishment and confined to a stuffy classroom hereby request pardon from you, most excellent SIR. We were punished due to a minor disciplinary violation in the form of engaging in a delightful physical exertion employing a soft sphere and hand (we had been driven to improvise due to the reason that our finances were at an unusually low ebb) letting off some of our youthful exuberance as we are wont to, only to be firmly reprimanded and sentenced to spend the rest of the day in a dreary room, and already our respiratory systems are seeming to give up office due to inhaling stale air. We realize however, that it would be a terminological in-exactitude to say that we were totally at fault. We thus humbly request your pardon asking that you would nobly grant freedom to us from the dire straits into which we have been plunged. 

Thanking you

The Pen is mightier………..than the text messages. 

At S.T.C. we believe in the freedom of expression. That is why this great institute has produced men who are vociferous and forthright….. and that is why The Ternion opened its pages to readers to submit their views on any matter pertaining to the Thomian family. 

As is apt to happen, the flavour of our “Discussion” in the previous issue was found to be unpalatable by some readers. We invite such readers to write back to us- we enjoy a healthy debate and would love to publish your side of the story. 

Do not resort to what seems to be emerging as the popular national culture of threats and intimidation. After all, Thomians do not rank with the “barbarous multitudes.”                                                                                   

T. Bartlett