THE EDITOR, Madam:
As a proud graduate of Calabar High School and former member of the esteemed Calabar Cadet Unit, I feel compelled to respond to Mr. Dale Britton’s letter with both respect and clarity. Calabar is not merely an institution—it is a beacon of discipline, scholarship and national pride. Generations of young men have walked through its gates and emerged as leaders, scholars, and patriots. That legacy is not accidental; it is the result of a culture that values structure, accountability and excellence.
The recent incident involving students being locked out over uniform infractions has understandably sparked concern. However, it is important to view this situation not solely through the lens of administrative action, but also through the broader social context. The school’s enforcement of its dress code, while perhaps firm, reflects a commitment to standards that have long defined Calabar’s identity. These standards are not arbitrary—they are part of the school’s effort to instill discipline and pride in its students.
What is often overlooked in these discussions is the role of the home. The breakdown in parenting and the absence of consistent guidance outside the school walls are contributing factors that cannot be ignored. Schools like Calabar are increasingly expected to fill the gaps left by absent fathers, overwhelmed mothers, and fractured households. When students arrive at school with dyed hair, improper uniforms, or a disregard for rules, it is often a symptom of deeper issues—issues that begin long before the school bell rings.
Calabar’s administration, led by Principal Sian-Mahay Wilson, faces the difficult task of balancing compassion with order. While the Ministry of Education has advised against lockouts, we must also ask: what tools remain when parental involvement is lacking and students are resistant to correction? The school has shown academic improvement, with 64% of the 2024 cohort passing five or more CSEC subjects including English and math—a commendable rise from the previous year. This progress is not accidental; it is the fruit of hard work, structure and yes, discipline.
Rather than vilify the school, we should rally around it. We should support its efforts to maintain high standards while encouraging more nuanced disciplinary approaches—ones that include counselling, mentorship, and parental engagement. But let us not pretend that the school alone bears the burden. The home must be held accountable. Parents must partner with educators, not leave them to shoulder the full weight of raising Jamaica’s young men.
To my fellow Old Boys, I say: let us be part of the solution. Answer the call, be you near or far. Let us mentor, support, and uplift. To the administration: continue to lead with strength and compassion. And to the students: Calabar is your home, but it is a home built on values. Wear your uniform with pride, walk with purpose and honour the legacy you inherit.
Calabar remains one of Jamaica’s finest institutions—not because it is perfect, but because it laser focussed on the utmost of the highest, always.
Letter to the Editor, Jamaica Gleaner - 2025
Letter to the Editor, Jamaica Gleaner - 2025
