Who wrote this propaganda piece?

[Time]

The author failed to point out that the classes versus country side of the story!!!!!!

JFF, ISSA agree on 'school vs country problem'

Saturday, May 07, 2011

THE perennial problem of school versus country has been laid to rest following a meeting last week Tuesday between local football governing body, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA).

Students who are called to national duty during competition must comply or they will not be allowed to participate in ISSA tournaments during that time.

Over the years, national coaches had problems securing the services of some players because the school coaches, seeking personal glory, wanted them available for local competitions.

Hence a joint meeting was held last week Tuesday between the JFF and ISSA to discuss a number of issues aimed at strengthening the technical infrastructure of football and the co-ordination between the two entities.

Following a full discussion on the issue of national representation as it relates to players attending schools, it was decided that:
* Players called for national duty are expected to respond affirmatively to the call-up. Any player who will not be responding affirmatively must put this in writing to the JFF, addressed to the General Secretary and copied to the President, ISSA. This letter should be on his/her school letter-head, signed by his or her parent or legal guardian and co-signed by the Principal of the school.

* Any player who does not follow this guideline and fails to respond affirmatively to a national call-up, cannot represent his/her school during the period of the invitation.

* Should the player participate in any game/s without the aforementioned approval, the school represented shall forfeit any points gained and maximum points awarded to the opposing team. If both teams are found in breach, then both teams shall forfeit points in the event of a draw. If any school habitually repeats the afore-mentioned violation then same will face further sanctions by the JFF/ISSA which shall not be limited to expulsion from the competition which the violation occurred.

This policy will be jointly executed by the JFF and ISSA and both will share all relevant information.

Meanwhile, in relation to the current National Under-17 team preparing for the World Cup in June, ISSA agreed on the request of the JFF that it would facilitate and co-ordinate the re-scheduling of internal examinations for the students who are a part of the squad.

It was noted that over 75 per cent of the players in the squad would normally have internal examinations in June. The other 25 per cent will be taking Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams with some players taking the final CXC exam as late as June 9. The FIFA Under-17 World Cup is scheduled to start on June 18.

Noting that a heavy international schedule for football had forced the Under-17 World Cup to be organised for as early as June, General Secretary Reid stated that the JFF and the coaching staff have had to be very accommodating and sensitive to the academic work of the players. This was not to be compromised.

Regarding coaching certification, the JFF reiterated its policy that for the schoolboy and girl season beginning 2011, all coaches must be Advanced Level I certified and for the 2012/13 season coaches at this level would have to be Advanced Level II certified.

Finally, in looking forward to the 2011 Manning and daCosta Cup competitions, the JFF recommended to ISSA the holding of technical meetings when the competitions reach the semi-final and final stages. Emphasising the need to adopt FIFA international standards at all levels, the JFF explained that technical meetings bring together the main players in the staging of successful games. The attendants include match officials; representatives of teams; security officials and venue operators amongst others.

Both the JFF and ISSA reiterated the respect of both organisations for each other and recommitted to deeper co-operation and communication.
ISSA was represented by its president Dr Walton Small; competitions director George Forbes; chairman of basketball Keith Wellington and chairman of Manning Cup Aston Messam.

The JFF was represented by Reid; technical committee chairman Howard McIntosh; technical committee deputy chairman Raymond Grant and director of operations Janice Rose-Brown.

Read more: <A style="COLOR: #003399" href="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/JFF--ISSA-agree-on--school-vs-country-problem-_8761241#ixzz1LfjkET9t">http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1LfjkET9t

[Sickko]

You might be a little confused...the release never mentioned anything about classes and so if the writer of this piece who was reporting on the release was to insert it here it would make this an opinion piece.

A follow up would be to interview principals, coaches, JTA etc and get their opinions about how call ups during the school term and mid week training could affect class work.

Or some one can do an opinion piece on it.

Mind you not every reporter has the previlige to write opinion pieces.

[Karl]

Was the decision made to combat coaches, schools,

parents and students chosing school over country?

The article suggests that was the basis of the rulings.
That would be short-sighted and unfortunate as there would then be the unintended result of denying the parties (schools, coaches, parents and students) the right to make decisions that stem from other matters than that self-serving quest for school glory. Those other matters being determined to be in the best interest of the child.

To look at it in its broadest sense it may be decided that it is in the nest interest of the child to remain at school. The ISSA and the JFF has decided if such be the case the child needs to be punished by the application of the penalty of deisqualification from representing the school.
That appears to me to be manifestly unjust.

On another note dealing with the school's leadership, the ISSA/JFF decision says that the schools and parents cannot be trusted to act in the pupils best interest.