Here is a sampling of the emails we have received in response to our story this week on Ash-Lynne Young who was put out of her standard 5 class at Holy Redeemer Primary School because her mother didn't want her to sell soft drinks during recess:
Are you guys going to continue following up on that child not in school? Something needs to be done about that...how can anyone step in to help?
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I thought I was reading about a fight between kindergartners. How dare that school deny that child the right to her education. That little girl should be in class while this immature mess is being sorted out. I applaud her mother for sticking to what she believes in. Her mother shows that she is adult about the situation because she continues to send her daughter to school. The school administration on the other hand shows nothing but spiteful revenge. This situation shouldn't even have come to this. The school could have met with her mother and maybe say,"This is what we were doing for the school, it's about helping the school and in the future if you feel so strongly about her selling stuff for the school maybe you can contribute in some other way."I'm sorry but if I was that mother I would take this matter to the highest authorities. I am a Belizean living in New York and 2 out of my 3 kids are Belizean and I thank God they are not in school in Belize if this is how this school administration handles such a petty matter. I can only wonder what they would do to a child who did something more serious hitting or threatening another child. As for Ash-Lynne's mom, "Keep up the good fight and this is one Belizean abroad who is rooting for you. I would love for this e-mail to be available for other people to read both at home and abroad.
I would be careful with the with the YES or NO Answer in this case. Commercial Activity may be a form of education for this child. Commercial Activity is used by those who create wealth. So, why not learn it through early practice? Let us always be mindful that WAGE EARNERS never become wealthy; they always rely on the benevolence and whims of the employer. So, this issue ought to be vigorously debated nationally.
Leave our kids alone they deserve a chance to live.
I agree with the Mother, she has the sole right to protect her child, since in these days as have been proven time and time again. Not even in school are our children protected. why take away a child's youth by invading her rights as a child?...I remember as a child where you would be given a raffle book and you would walk up to perfect strangers asking them to buy a raffle, not even knowing if you are asking perverted minds out there waiting for those sales, they don't have to go looking for there victims, because the innocence come to them. My parents didn't send me and I totally agree with the mother that is only doing what only a mother can do protect her child....
These are only a sampling of the emails received and the 7NEWS team appreciates the feedback. We encourage you to let us know what you think and again register your vote in our online poll. The question is: Should Ash-Lynn Young be made to sell soft-drinks at school? No, her mother has the right to keep her daughter from engaging in commercial activity on behalf of the school. Yes, when you are in school you should do as ordered to by the administration. Free polls from Pollhost.com
Register your vote and stay tuned to 7NEWS for the poll results.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift