The Editor, Sir:

There is renewed call for more male teachers to help mould and mentor our boys. While that may well be a good idea, we need to look to the fathers of our male students.

Every child, male or female, came about with the help of a man during conception. We need to find these men and hold them accountable. Too many men 'get' children and simply walk away leaving very young, uneducated and unemployable girls.

We need to start something in the nature of a national campaign, to highlight the social ill that absentee fathers have created.

Identify these men on a national public registry, threaten them with serious child-abandonment charges and fine them for child support, and inflicting poverty on the Jamaican family.

Male teachers are welcome to go into the classroom and join those who are already making a positive contribution. At the same time, fatherhood should not be relegated to be part-time or drive-by sperm donors.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK ROACH

pgerry2001@yahoo.com

Toronto, Ontario

Via Go-Jamaica