RIGHT(S):  Of conduct; just; required by morality or equity or duty; correct; true. 
What is just; fair treatment; having justice or truth on one’s side; fair claim, being entitled to etc.

RESPONSIBILTY: Liable to be called to account (Government/institution) to person; morally accountable for action; capable of rational conduct.

Throughout the ages, people of nations have sought to clarify and enforce their rights (fair treatment) in society.  Either the poor retaliate wanting more from the ‘system’; the outspoken preacher claiming equity under the umbrella of unions or human rights; or the champion call of solidarity from politicians.  Whatever the subject of claim, there has been (and will always be) continued discord; an assumed reconciliation/conclusion but no real satisfaction for us humans who are on the constant move for ‘change and decay’.

In 1830, I am told, the legislated right to education was introduced, giving the “soon-to-be-free” slaves the right to an education here in Grenada.  Back then, the churches were the trusted institutions and therefore they had the responsibility to educate these slaves on their ‘rights and responsibility’ come 1834 - emancipation.

Now, those of us who are scholars and responsible citizens today are the products of that first Act/Legislature, which through the years has been modified, amended and destroyed as times and people change.  The churches, through their love of knowledge (the act of knowing/discerning) have imparted all and sought to administer good values, morals, Christian practices and honest citizens.  There will be those who would ‘fall through the cracks’ but the majority flourish.  It is the church, in its wisdom, who has advised against child labour; sex before marriage and teenage pregnancy.  When did it become law to wear two hats? That of child and mother?  Or are we considering that bit now as actions dictate the pace of law?

As an ‘old girl’ of the Anglican High School, I feel compelled to remind all my peers of our responsibility to society and its development that we were taught in that very institution.  On September 18, 2006, we proudly marched and celebrated 90 years of unbreakable service to the education system in Grenada.  Our motto “Facta non Verba” - Deeds not Words - exemplified the high ethical standards this particular church institution, in its wisdom, lovingly gave to us.  AHS has always been known to be ‘first’ in setting standards and challenging the system for the correct/right and justice for all.  Therefore, it is not surprising that today, 4 months into our 90th anniversary; the age old story of ‘teenage’ pregnancy looms forth because as I understand, one young lady defied the ‘good judgement of principal and staff to exercise her ‘right’ under the existing act.   However, it is commendable that the present PTA led by an ‘old girl’ seeks to correct this rapidly growing ‘infestation’ among our young ladies.

Do you remember Mary Pressey?  (I’m talking to my peers).  She was the principal who dared to introduce Family Life Education into the classrooms and school curriculum in the 1960s/70s.  She received great opposition from parents then who felt she was “teaching our girls to have sex!”  In fact, as you will recall, Mrs Pressey, then president of the Family Planning Association, discovered how many (20 persons in those days was a lot!) young ladies were sexually active and jeopardising their chances in a well-rounded education once they found themselves pregnant while in school.  She sought to clarify in the classroom, sex and love.  In those days (as rightly pointed by Mrs Trotman-Joseph in Beyond the Headlines on Monday) sex was not an open subject, much less a word, as parents ‘glossed’ over the subject in hope that ‘you’ll find out later, somehow!’  Mrs Pressey sought to prevent the prevalence we are having now!  We are the mothers who were the students Mrs Pressey addressed back then.  We are mothers and grandmothers (in some cases) who were taught value of body, soul and mind.  No part of the anatomy was to stand on its own and one sentence stands out for me even today. Mrs Pressey taught that if you had sex with anyone, you were now ‘open subject’.  She clearly stated that ‘your body was your sanctuary’ and that once you shared it with another outside of marriage; you no longer had ‘your secret’ ‘cause ‘boys talk’!

With this knowledge we were expected to exercise better self-control, respect for self and each other together with the academic knowledge to become productive citizens of our country.

Today, in the school handbook under Rules & Regulations it is written “every student is expected to take her academic studies seriously at all times;’ and ‘every student should regard herself as a citizen of the Anglican High School Community, who live together, pooling and sharing their qualities of mind and character with a view to utilizing and developing the resources of their common habitation for the good of all.’

The Mission Statement “to facilitate the spiritual, moral, social and intellectual development of young ladies by transmitting to them values for living as loyal citizens in a democratic society. They will be honest and sincere followers of Christ, be individuals fully equipped with the necessary tools to face the challenges of the present and future and to make their full contribution to the development of Grenada and the world.”

It is no different to the first day 90 years ago; just more words but the values are still the same in whatever way you say it.  Therefore, as an alumna of this respected church institution, I call on every past pupil to bring forth the true values of society and not let the ‘slackers’ bring us down stating it is the ‘common place’ and the ‘accepted fact’ of today.  Each one of us can and will rise above the norm as we all have.

Now I want to appeal to the good sense of the former Ms Claris Craig; the old girl (my past prefect) who has risen through our society (like many others) to be the shining example of the good products that AHS institution is known for.  You have been blessed as a teacher, mother, wife, grand-mother, trade unionist, politician.  We cannot let the moral values taught in the classrooms by Mrs Dorrie Matineau; Mrs Christine Archer; Mrs Verda Benjamin; Mrs Beryl Patterson; Mr DeVere Archer - to name a few - just be ‘pushed under the carpet’.  This is your time as a woman at the pinnacle of your political career to make that significant mark.  This is your time Claris; let us not gloss over the subject of teenage sex and teenage pregnancy.  Let us look at it holistically for the world is but a stage and we the inhabitants are its actors with a purpose; for you never stop learning.  So rightly said, ‘The hands that rock the cradle rule the world!’ and  as one retired principal stated, this is at the stage it should be and will take the natural process.  Please let it be your process as an educator (formally and informally); as one who champions the case for ‘rights’ and know your responsibility to the nation and to your children and their children.  It will not be easy, but we must accommodate that which we have nurtured through negligence! Do not be too eager to ‘call the law’ but to ‘know in your heart of hearts the right as a child of the Creator to do all that He has enabled you to do. 

Create the proper environment for the teenage parents so that those who feel that this is easy will learn parenting never ends until you die. That being a child for as long as you can be a dependent is bliss!!!
So, what is education without the right to exercise your responsibility?

Verse 3 AHS School song says:

Thank you Lord for ev’ry favour,
Present, past and yet to be;
Lives of loving service, labour
Truth inspiring, full and free
Teach and train us up for living;
That we may reflect your grace;
To each generation giving, when in turn we take our place.”

Karen Charles
AHS - Always High Standards.