Letter to the Editor: What Really Went Wrong with the Graduation?
Dear Editor,
We write to express our deep disappointment and concern over the handling of this year’s graduation at Irene B. Williams Secondary School. What should have been a proud and memorable occasion for students and their families has instead left many parents feeling frustrated, confused, and disrespected.
Our first concern is the location selected for the graduation. Many families were left questioning why that venue was chosen, whether it was truly suitable, and whether enough consideration was given to comfort, accessibility, safety, and the overall experience of the graduating class. A graduation is not merely an event on a calendar; it is a milestone that deserves careful planning, transparency, and respect.
Equally troubling was the process by which parents were asked to pay money without receiving a clear breakdown of the costs. Families deserve to know exactly what they are paying for.
If funds are being collected for venue rental, decorations, programmes, refreshments, photography, gowns, security, or any other expense, those details should be clearly stated in writing. Asking parents to contribute without transparency creates mistrust and leaves room for speculation.
The refund policy has also caused serious concern. Parents should not be faced with an unreasonable refund arrangement, especially when they were not given a clear and complete explanation of the charges in the first place.
If plans changed, if promises were not kept, or if services were not delivered as expected, then fairness demands that parents be treated with honesty and consideration.
There are also concerns about divisions and factions within the school community. Instead of unity among the students, the process appears to have created disagreement, confusion, and frustration among parents, staff, and other stakeholders. A graduation should bring a school together. It should not expose poor communication, competing interests, or a lack of shared direction.
We are also troubled by the promises of sponsorship that were either unclear, delayed, or not properly explained. If sponsorship was promised, parents have a right to know what was secured, how much was contributed, what the funds covered, and why additional charges were still required. Without that information, families are left asking a simple but important question: what really went wrong?
This letter is not written to attack anyone personally. It is written because students and parents deserve better. They deserve transparency, accountability, proper planning, and respectful communication.
When families are asked to make financial sacrifices, especially in difficult times, they should not be met with vague explanations, shifting arrangements, or refund conditions that appear unfair.
We therefore call on the relevant school authorities and organizing committee to provide a full written breakdown of all monies collected and spent, explain the decisions made regarding the venue and arrangements, clarify the status of any sponsorship, and review the refund policy fairly and reasonably.
Graduation should be remembered for the achievements of the students, not for controversy, confusion, and disappointment. The students worked hard to reach this milestone. The adults responsible for planning and managing the event must now show the same level of responsibility, integrity, and respect.
Yours respectfully,
Concerned Parents and Guardians
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Too many letters COMPLAINING about GRADUATIONS. Where is the Ministry of Education in all of this?
Hmmm
Who is the principal there?
As far as I am concerned, the Ministry should be the one planning the graduation process along with the school. It’s not like the schools do not have a graduation every year. It’s an annual event. It should be mastered by now.
Aft
As a parent of a graduating student, I can say that the concerns raised in this letter are concerns that many parents have been expressing for weeks.
Personally, I have no issue contributing toward my child’s graduation. My concern, and the concern of many other parents, has simply been transparency. Parents have repeatedly requested an itemized breakdown of the graduation costs so that we can understand exactly what we are paying for.
A list of items included in a package is not the same as a breakdown of costs. I believe parents deserve clarity, especially when significant amounts of money are being requested just days before graduation.
At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: for our children to enjoy a graduation experience that celebrates their achievements and makes them proud.
It seems like some of us parents, especially mothers, are more caught up in the graduation and preparations for it than the end of school exams.
May and June are full exams time, but it is also graduation preparations time. Some students, especially the girls, seem to be so caught up that their studies get sidelined. Most do not regret it until results come out in August.
All this fuss about graduation is not worth it. It is more like a vanity thing than anything else.
I have spent a lot of money keeping my child in a fancy private school. My wife does not know I sometime do some extra work on the side just to pay term fees and keep food on the table, gas in the car, the mortgage paid, etc.
She is willing to pinch the grocery money to give our daughter a graduation hair style, buy graduation clothes and pay photographer and all that. I believe these kids are more interested in the graduation hype than the final results. I tried to talk to my young one about it, but I don’t think she was listening.
They do not, cannot see in the future. She is not a bad student, but I was worried about her focus around exam time. All this American thing about prom and things has taken over. These things cost a lot of money in Antigua and the prices are higher now because they know that all parents want to see their children look good.
The mInistry of Education needs to step in and put some boundaries on graduation costs. I have another daughter who will be leaving school in another two years.
This letter appears to present only one side of the story. Unfortunately, it comes across as shifting responsibility rather than addressing the core issue. As parents, it is important to engage in constructive dialogue while also teaching children the importance of following rules, showing respect, and being accountable for their actions.
I would encourage you to carefully reconsider any plans that may negatively impact your relationship with the school. At the end of the day, this is the same institution from which your child may one day need recommendations, references, and support. Maintaining a respectful and collaborative relationship is in everyone’s best interest, especially your child’s.
I find it funny because parents speaking out the about fee they are called rude disrespectful and all sorts of name it was said that the upp minister for all saint east and st Luke will be funding the graduation at the Irene b secondary school but you have parents who paid they full 900 dollar and now are told that there are only getting back 200 because you have to buy gift tassel cap medal to be given to the children nobody has an issue but we want to given the break down about the money if the graduation is sponsored. When you have the deputy principal of Irene b Williams secondary calling parents dumb or he can’t speak to stupid people it speaks volumes. The children want to go on a boat cruise and the deputy wanted to go to sandals which parents said most really can’t afford but he was upset about that as well.
Respectfully, I believe the issue being raised has less to do with assigning blame and more to do with seeking transparency.
Parents have repeatedly requested an itemized breakdown of the graduation expenses so that we can understand how the fees were calculated. Asking questions about funds that parents are being asked to contribute is not a sign of disrespect; it is a reasonable expectation.
I agree that maintaining a positive relationship with the school is important. However, a healthy relationship is built on open communication, transparency, and accountability on all sides.
Wanting clarity on how parents’ money is being spent should not be viewed as conflict. It should be viewed as a legitimate concern that deserves a clear and respectful response.
Respectfully, I believe the issue being raised has less to do with assigning blame and more to do with seeking transparency.
Parents have repeatedly requested an itemized breakdown of the graduation expenses so that we can understand how the fees were calculated. Asking questions about funds that parents are being asked to contribute is not a sign of disrespect; it is a reasonable expectation.
I agree that maintaining a positive relationship with the school is important. However, a healthy relationship is built on open communication, transparency, and accountability on all sides.
Wanting clarity on how parents’ money is being spent should not be viewed as conflict. It should be viewed as a legitimate concern that deserves a clear and respectful response.
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