PM expresses opposition to ‘pay and wear’ to raise funds in schools

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves feels that charging money for students to attend classes without their uniform is creating unnecessary tensions and difficulties.

The common practice of pay and wear in schools is very popular however, the Prime Minister said “I don’t support these things at all”.

Gonsalves aired this view last Sunday April 28, 2024, while speaking on the Issue at Hand programme on WEFM.

He said there is a need to be mindful that in each school, there are students from different economic backgrounds, including children who are from poor families, and it may not be possible for all parents to provide the funds for their children to enjoy the days of pay and wear.

The Prime Minister suggested that if schools want to raise funds, they need to apply at the appropriate time so that money can be released from the Consolidated Fund.

He believes that students whose parents cannot afford the pay and wear will feel odd among their friends who are able to dress in the latest style.

One of moderators of the interactive programme, Philbert John, spoke of the challenges of getting students to follow the schools’ guidelines for pay and wear.

John, an educator, said students love to wear garments that are not sanctioned by the school.

Admitting that pay and wear is wrong in his view, Gonsalves underscored that students should not be charged for that.

The Prime Minister, who also has responsibility for tertiary education, insisted that any such charges by schools should go through the Ministry of Education, as the present system of pay and wear is creating unnecessary challenges and difficulties.

He also was not in support of teachers taking students on expensive overseas trips to assist with their foreign language, History or Geography studies.

“It is an expensive business,” Gonsalves said on radio last Sunday.

He suggested that in a class of 30 students, only 15 or 20 of them will likely be able to go on an overseas trip.

“How the rest students are going to feel?” he questioned.

The Prime Minister suggested that teachers should explore alternatives, including organizing local trips for students of History and Geography.