By MALCOLM STRACHAN

THE school children lined up excitedly in church yesterday. In a scene I am sure was replicated in churches across the country, there they stood in their school uniforms and waited for a blessing.

Some also got gifts to help them as they go back to school. That was not limited to churches, far from it. All kinds of community groups, businesses, organisations, and yes, politicians or would-be politicians have been handing out back-to-school gifts over the past couple of weeks – from pens and pencils to books and backpacks and more.

It is an annual tradition – and a good one – that we rally round to send our children back to school with what they need, and try to make sure that those who need a helping hand are able to receive it.

That said, there is sadly another annual tradition, where the examination results come out and fall shorter of where we would wish them to be.

Last week was the same – with the D-grade average still a feature.

Officials will quibble, of course. They will point – and rightly – to areas of improvement. But according to the latest figures only about six percent of all registrants earned at least a C in maths, English and a science. That number works out at a little over a fifth of those sitting five or more subjects – but still, that falls far short of how well equipped we want to see our students.

Fewer than half of examination candidates scored grades A-D in maths – and more students ended up across subjects with E, F and U grades.

How proud are officials of these results? Well, when they were unveiled, no questions were taken from the press.

A number of schools posted GPA improvements – and that is encouraging – but regardless of all these pointers at areas where there may be increases, we are a long way away from a massive leap in our education system that would give all our students the opportunity to excel.

A grade here, a grade there, a drop in this subject, a faltering in that – for all the noise and thunder, and indeed for all the community appreciation of the value of education, we are not seeing widespread and significant change that would launch our nation’s students into a future in which they can shine.

So as our children go back to school, there are few things I would encourage them to do – and indeed, that all of us could learn.

Learn to listen

Listen to what people have to say. For students, that is your teachers and your mentors – your principals and your faith leaders. But it is also the leaders of the nation.

Listen to your lessons, of course, but listen to what these people promise you. Take note. Listen to what the plan is for how they will deliver on those promises. Listen to what they expect of you. Listen to what the reasons are for those expectations. Listen to how they will reward you for meeting those demands.

Learn to remember

After you have listened, remember what is important. Remember your classes, remember your teacher’s words. Remember those promises – and remember to check on their progress. Go back and check on what you were told, and remember to raise those matters again if they have not been satisfied.

Learn to speak up

Is there something wrong in your environment? Is there something that needs fixed? Is that something in your school, your community, your life? Why should I speak up, some people think, but why should you not be the one to speak up? Some may not be aware of an issue. Some may not be aware of a need. If you see something that needs to be done, say something. It may be the difference in a change taking place or not.

Learn to take action

Some of the things that are wrong are things you can do something about. Has garbage piled up in a green area next to your school, or near your home? How about arranging with friends or community members to do something about it? Clear it up. Make a difference.

What about problems that you might see on the way to school? Routes that are clogged up with abandoned cars or paths by the side of roads that need repairs? How can you do something about those – that is too big for one person, right? Well, talk to someone about it. A teacher, a church leader, a politician – and ask what can be done. That can be taking action as much as filling a garbage bag with trash yourself.

Learn to hold to account

All those promises need to mean something. If someone says they will do something and then they don’t do it, don’t let it slide. Go knock on that door again and say hey, you said you would do this, why haven’t you? Perhaps they have a good reason, perhaps they don’t – but if they meant what they said, it will renew their determination to get it done. If they didn’t mean it, that is a lesson in itself – and you ought to take their word more carefully in future.

These are all things that children can do in school – so why as adults can we not do the same with those who aspire to be our leaders.

We are about to head into a new election cycle – whenever the Prime Minister decides to share with us what the date will be in the coming months.

Remember these lessons when politicians come to ask you for your vote.

Check the manifesto for the government in office – and ask what promises were kept, and what promises were not.

When the candidates come knocking on your door, ask them what they will do. If they are from the current government, ask them why they did not do what they said they would on issues where promises are unfulfilled. If they are from the opposition or new faces, ask them what they will personally do if promises are not kept in the next administration, whatever party that might be.

Back to school is a time when we hope the very best for our children – but as a nation it should be a reminder that we must do more than simply hope.