If someone, say from America or France, comes to live in Zimbabwe, he must understand that in this country he must drive on the left-hand side of the road. It does not matter that he is used to driving on the right-hand side of the road; it is irrelevant that he far prefers to drive on the right-hand side; it is inconsequential that he may think everyone should drive on the right-hand side. In Zimbabwe, people drive on the left-hand side (or should that actually and more accurately read, most people in Zimbabwe drive on the left-hand side of the road….?). Of course, such a person might try to declare strongly that it is his right to drive on whatever side of the road he wishes; he may even gain some supporters. Then he might simply ignore the rules of the road in Zimbabwe and drive on the right hand side of the road, ignoring the fact that he is making it extremely dangerous for everyone (including himself). He might even try to challenge the ruling in the legal courts or appeal on the social media but it will not bring about the desired change; it will not matter if a hundred people agree with him, or ten thousand; the rules of the road will stay the same in this country.
We live in a changing world, of that there is no doubt. In fact we live in a strange world. Reality competitions take on a different format, whereby in the likes of ‘The X Factor’, contestants perform for a short while, have a few comments made by so-called or self-proclaimed experts, then the world phones in their votes. The ‘winner’ is not necessarily the best singer; often another contestant does better thereafter than the one who wins. Imagine for a moment what it would be like if we were to take the same format into the sporting world: two teams play a match for ten minutes then stop while a few former players and pundits give their personal assessment of the performance before opening it up to everyone to phone in to say who they think should win the match! Should we try it with our rugby matches this term? Some chance!
The examples above may appear to be extreme, but the same arguments apply to parents sending their child to an independent school. In short, we cannot choose a school then tell the school to change what they are doing, to what we want, like or even believe in. Rather, we need to find the school that does do what we want, like and believe in and support it whole-heartedly. If we are not happy with a school and how it is run (and none of us will ever be entirely happy with that), and we have followed the correct channels with any valid concern but remain unconvinced, then we should change schools, not change the school. Change may very well be necessary but the change will not come from popular opinion but from principled decision.
When placing our child in an independent school we are not entering a reality show or a sporting competition, a popularity contest or a legal debate. We are entering an institution that is committed to fulfil its own particular founding Vision and Mission to provide a relevant, high-quality, holistic education. The only thing we should want to change is our child as he or she grows in their ability, understanding and character. Let us be steadfast and strong in helping the school achieve that.
For a further article on this theme you may consider the article entitled ‘A Choice Education’ on the ATS website:
We wish you a fruitful, positive and safe term
