The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Mr. Editor:

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FOR WEBSTER FLAWED

On Monday, 9th March, I witnessed with much pleasure the day of fun that many of our island’s children had as they shared in observing Commonwealth Day – something that may be difficult to explain to their young minds were it not for the practical lessons they are given.

Surely, the Commonwealth of Nations and Commonwealth Day must be big expressions to some of them. So, too, was Empire Day, the forerunner of Commonwealth Day, to me, when I was at a tender age in school many years ago.

The Monday before, this past one, was a holiday for schoolchildren in recognition of the birthday of Mr. Ronald Webster and what he did for Anguilla. When I compare Commonwealth Day and the school holiday for him, the latter does not look well for all the good reasons it is intended to portray. The children and their teachers were all at home for the holiday with no planned fun day activities for the children notwithstanding any classroom lessons they may have had about the revolution.

I agree wholeheartedly with the school holiday for Mr. Webster but I concur with many persons who expressed the view that it should follow along the lines of Commonwealth Day. The teachers say they were not consulted, when the House of Assembly approved the holiday which came at the mid-term break last year, as to how they thought it should be observed. For instance, there could be some fun activities and treats at one common location such as the Ronald Webster Park for the first half of the day and then the children sent home for the rest of the day. It is impossible to have any such events with the children at home for a full holiday.

The teachers complain that although invited to the schools to speak about the 1967 revolution, Mr. Webster has always failed to turn up. I think, as in years past, he would appear at the park if all the children were gathered there to acknowledge their cheers and to be seen by them rather than for him to engage in speech-making either about himself or the revolution in general. Be that as it may, I think the school holiday for him should be revisited and, if necessary, the motion passed in the House of Assembly should be amended. As for now it remains seriously flawed in my judgment.

P. E. Richardson

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