Traffic or no traffic, delays in getting to work or not, I welcome the return of our school children “to circulation”.

I know that thousands of them had a good summer. The government sponsored camps, whether we wish to admit it or not, is a ‘God send’ for many. They have served to “liven” the holidays and at the same time keep the brains of our young ones ‘turning’ and fertile. But for me, there is nothing like seeing those immaculately dressed and perfectly groomed young ones alighting buses, using cross walks and generally going about their merry way to and from school.

Barbados is very unique in the Caribbean in this regard. Each secondary school and several primary schools have their distinctive uniforms and dress codes and this add color and splendor to the stepping out occasion, especially at the start of the September term.

Angie and I were among the proud parents of 11 year olds entering the secondary school system for the first time this week. What was most striking from the Tuesday morning orientation, was the resolve of parents to outfit their children, to acceptable standards, irrespective of the cost and sacrifice.

There is an innate pride in Barbadians where, notwithstanding their own socio-economic backgrounds, they wish well for their offspring and, on occasions such as yesterday’s grand stepping out, for no ward of theirs to be inappropriately casted.

This writer is not sure why they put themselves under this pressure, because we knew since early in July where those who had taken the 11-plus examination would have been going and from the previous term, where all others would be returning. But it seems the adrenalin rush at the 11^th hour is what makes the occasion exciting.

Those who complained about lack of money in the economy this past weekend, clearly overlooked the issue when they outfitted themselves for all the summer festivities dating back to June, when we had multiple weekends of high priced shows and fetes, on the hill, in the park and stretching the beach. They also did not challenge the heightened cost of costumes for the various festivals nor the hike in food and beverage costs at the various social outings.

What also of the persistent use and abuse of cell phones and the seemingly addicted topping up of phone credit?

I do not know how some parents did it but, judging from what I saw on the streets of Barbados earlier this week, they certainly landed on their feet when it comes to rising to the occasion of outfitting their children for the grand September stepping out occasion.

We are in the midst of an economic downturn but gladly this is not reflected in the manner in which the vast majority of our students were turned out this week. Parents somehow found the money. The various social agencies of government and financial lending institutions may have played a role, but I believe in the final analysis it all has to do with the pride, tenacity and resourcefulness of our Barbadian parents, mothers in particular. They know how to stretch a dollar when they have to.

Our parents understand the social impact of their children being seen and deemed as “poor”. No one wishes to be “poor” in today’s Barbados and that is why we do what we have to do to minimize the distinction. But what of next week and next month and early next year? The September stepping out is one event in itself, but nurturing our children through this testing period of their lives is our charge. We ought not as parents to show interest only in how they look for the first day. We need to remain an integral part of the process throughout the school year.

So how about our resolving to attend more Parent Teacher Association meetings? How about our playing our part in minimizing, if not stamping out, the minibus culture? How about our insisting on the prioritization of home work and the putting away of computer games and reducing the seeming addiction to television during the term? What also about the same personal grooming of our children? We got them all ‘cleaned up and ready’ for September 2^nd. But how will they look on November 2^nd, and March 2^nd and June 2^nd of next year?

Though the pressure on parents is reduced at that time, the importance of personal grooming remains the same. I think it was Canadian Anne Murray who sang and wished for everyday to be like Christmas. As a parent and more so as a proud Barbadian, I wish for every day of the school year to be like September 2^nd, when parents, teachers and students alike are all focused on playing their part in the attainment of common goals.

This country is investing too much in the education of our children for us as a society to stand only on ceremony. We have to begin or should I say recommence our insistence on the pursuit and attainment of excellence in education.

Minister Ronald Jones can be accused of not saying what he wishes to say in the most controlled and effective manner possible, but none can question his passion for and commitment to the cause. In Ronald Jones you get the image of a minister who genuinely cares and who wants the system to work. Semantics are one thing but substance and focus is another and in this regard, he cannot be faulted.

This country has an excellent opportunity to retain lost glory as far as its leadership in education is concerned. I am a Caribbean man and I would never put down another island, but somehow I believe that Barbados’ place in education is at the forefront. The Rt. Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford and others placed us there and it behoves us all to work with Ronald Jones in returning Barbados to the pinnacle of regional education.

Let every day of this new school year be like September 2^nd. When it comes to Barbados shining again as a leader in education, I say ‘yes we can’.

Hartley Henry is a Regional Political Strategist. He can be reached at hartleyhenry@gmail.com