Latecomers impede other kids’ progress

While it’s gratifying to see that more Dougherty County School System students were in the classroom when classes started last week, why attendance isn’t nearly 100 percent is mystifying.

School officials guessed that around 12,000 of the 15,000-plus students who were expected to enter the schools’ hallways were in class when the opening bells rang. But that means 3,000 or more students — at least one of every five — were still not in class.

It’s not like the parents and guardians of these students were surprised about the starting date, with the possible exception of some kindergartners’ parents who had thought they had another week. The parents, students and school officials all know who should be in class on day one.

While there are always isolated exceptions, we suspect that the majority of the absences were simply cases in which the students weren’t ready to wrap up their summer break or the adults responsible for them procrastinated in getting things in order for the new school year. We also suspect that many of those absent were out of the classroom because the student, the parents or both just don’t see the value in education and are in no hurry to get back in the routine of school.

If someone doesn’t want to learn, he or she won’t. If a student’s parent or guardian doesn’t see the significance of a solid education, the student likely won’t either.

Part of that could be written off to a case of where freedom of choice doesn’t always mean making good choices, but the problem is the student and his or her family are not the only people adversely impacted by such cavalier attitudes.

There are students who showed up on time, got started with their studies and who want to achieve in life who are affected as well.

What happens when the 10 o’clock scholars finally decide to show up in the classroom?

Well, the rest of the class hasn’t sat around waiting on them. The teachers in their classes have already begun teaching the material, and the rest of the class is moving ahead with its work.

But that pace gets interrupted because now the latecomers show up and have no idea what’s going on. The students who follow the rules and who are trying to get an education lose out while the teacher interrupts everything to try and get the stragglers caught up.

If nothing else, it’s a blatant exhibition of disrespect toward their teachers and their classmates.

We’re happy that the school system made some advances with this problem this year and that Superintendent Joshua Murfree’s appeals to churches and the community to have everyone in their seats ready to learn on day one had a positive influence.

But there needs to be some accountability here for the students and their parents/guardians who refuse to show up. At the very least, the lost days should be counted as absences.

Education is a valuable resource, one that is critical to our nation and community. It should be appreciated, not wasted.