A remarkable number of Form 5 and Upper 6 students sitting for the Cambridge Examinations in November follow a certain tradition of absenting themselves from school during the third term. The reasons they give for their absence or their being on and off school are that teachers do not work in class; no revision is done; time spent revising at home is better in the sense that they are not under any kind of pressure. Moreover, it is an opportunity to escape from boredom and routine.

The question I have always asked myself is: is revision at home, over practically the whole of the third term, done in the right manner? At least at school, as far as I know, revision work is done systematically under the able guidance of teachers. At home students are on their own and may therefore lack this guidance. The third term is important for several reasons: it allows both teachers and students to catch up with remaining work; it is an opportunity to go over certain vital chapters in order to better grasp the points; it is the right moment to consolidate the skills of writing essays or doing practical work; students can look back and question themselves about what they still do not quite understand or have not understood at all and seek advice.

Revision allows teachers the opportunity to remind their students of fundamental rules in answering questions. It instils confidence in students. Teachers may identify areas of revision in their respective subjects. It is a good time to go over past examination papers and practise working within a time limit. Many students find it more useful to stay at home to revise. However, we need to make sure that revision is actually done.

Parents can play a significant role here. They can see to it that if their children stay home for revision, this time is wisely spent. Often both parents work and the student is left alone at home and there is no one to know whether he is really studying, revising or not. The irony is that the same students, who shirk school, do make it a point to attend private tuition nevertheless.

Another major responsibility of parents is to groom their children in proper behaviour in and outside school. They can most certainly brief their children about what is appropriate in a particular context and what is not. I am always appalled to see students going to attend private tuition dressed in a way really inappropriate for the occasion. Parents can enquire where their children are going at a particular time. In case it is tuition, then the parents must put their foot down and suggest politely but firmly that a dress or make-up apt for going to the cinema or going out with friends may not be apt for tuition.

I have absolutely nothing against today's youth. I simply want them to realise what is acceptable and what is not at a particular time and in a particular place. I do want them to grow up with a strong sense of responsibility and an equally strong sense of citizenship. If parents could show a greater concern about their children's education, it might be helpful to teachers. For instance, a simple thing like "I don't want to hear any kind of complaint from any of your teachers about your misbehaving in class while a lesson is on" or "I hear you've got into the habit of creating some problems for your classmates and your teachers as well. Now, make sure it never happens again" can go a long way in creating awareness in children and in transforming them for the better.

Finally, both parents and students have at heart the same objective, the same dream: see children performing reasonably well in their studies, coming up with results that reflect their abilities. Not only this, but also see children growing up in a warm environment in order to become mature citizens.

It is quite surprising to what extent some students are today taking certain liberties. There was a time when parents knew exactly with whom their children were taking tuition, where he/she lived. They would meet the teacher for a personal contact and obtain some basic information like fees, time schedules and so on. A lot of parents are now in the dark as children themselves find teachers for their tuition. So they have no idea where their children are going and with whom. The children just inform them what the teachers are charging and they hand over the money. There are cases of students taking money every month and never attending any tuition.

We must trust our children but blind trust can be harmful and painful. Some children may perceive blind trust as a sign of weakness and they may, perhaps, try to manipulate the situation. Parents need to keep track of whom their children are going out with. It is thier job to ensure that their generosity, kindness or understanding is not abused. It is well known that quite a few students shamelessly fail to settle their tuition fees for October. They follow the lessons and vanish. They cannot be contacted because either they live far or, jokes aside, they have given a fictitious address and telephone number. Anyway it would be highly embarrassing to run after them. Yet the parents unfailingly give them the fees. Shouldn't these parents be concerned and alarmed about this?

The question is not that the teachers are not duly paid. The question is how the money is finally spent. Suppose a student is taking tuition with five teachers at two hundred rupees per subject. The student thus collects a total of one thousand rupeesand God knows how it is spent. Parents should be the first to inculcate a profound sense of values and principles in their children. They will agree it is worthwhile.

Suresh Ramphul