Free Republic

03-12-2003 Teachers Support Peace, But Not Free Speech By Matthew Dodd What is going on in the minds of some public education officials with respect to the anticipated war with Iraq? Over the last two weeks, I have reported on complaints the Maine Army National Guard received from parents that a number of school officials were at best insensitive, and at worst, harassing their children (some as young as 7-9 years old), for the simple fact that their parents were deploying overseas with the U.S. force massing against Iraq. From the scores of feedback e-mails I have received, I have...

Many school buildings, long silent and empty, are bursting at the seams with children eager to learn amid a handful of teachers determined to teach, however difficult the conditions. In Afghanistan’s native languages, they call it “Sabak,” meaning the return of learning. UNICEF calls it “Back to School”. Whatever name it goes by, Afghanistan is in the midst of a massive campaign to register children for the new school year and get schools, classrooms, teachers and supplies ready. On 21 March – New Year’s Day in Afghanistan – the country will celebrate the start of a new school year. On...