From left, Charlie Smith High's principal, Dennis Kelly, Joseph Williams, principal of St James High and principal of Edith Dalton James, Ray Howell.

The principals of three schools now competing in the daCosta Cup and Manning Cup competitions have expressed full support for the Inter-Secondary Schools Association's (ISSA) mandate that students must have at least a 45 per cent grade average in order to participate in its competitions.

"I am in full support of it because it falls in line with our school policy and here at St James High, none of our students can march in our graduation ceremony, unless that child has an average of over 45 per cent," said principal Joseph Williams.

"We have now put our passing grade at 50 per cent and what ISSA has stipulated is now below our standards," Williams said.

Williams added that the rule must be followed regardless of how good the player is.

"I know that one of our players didn't do well last term in his examinations and he is a good player, but he is not a part of this squad this season," Williams said.

school a place of learning

Ray Howell, principal of Edith Dalton James High, agrees with Williams and said school is not only about playing sports, but also a place of learning.

"Children must understand that sports is only one aspect of life and the only way they are going to move forward in life is through learning and getting an education, which helps them later on in life," said Howell.

"I think that regardless of how good you are in playing a game, it is your performance in external examinations that is going to take you forward after you leave school," he said.

Howell added that his school has adhered to the rule and it has not impacted on his team's chances of moving on in the Manning Cup competition.

"I am sure that our team is not impacted in a negative way by this rule. This is the standard and people must adhere to standards," said Howell.

"Every child who comes into our school, comes in with an average of 40 per cent from GSAT, and therefore if that child does not meet this criteria, then it means that their average would have dropped considerably and this is not acceptable at our school," Howell noted.

the rule is a good one

Dennis Kelly, principal of Charlie Smith, said the rule has affected his team's chances of moving forward in the Manning Cup on a number of occasions but admitted that the rule is a good one.

"One or two times we have had some good players that have missed out because of this rule," Kelly said.

"We have accepted that the rule is a good one and we have tried to stick by it because many times some of our students want to play and we tell them that they can't because they are unable to meet this criteria."

Kelly added that it is also very embarrassing when students are in school for five years and when they leave they can't give a good interview or take up scholarships.

He said they were taking the rule very seriously and all their student/athletes must attend classes or they will be sent home.

"Students are told to find another school to attend because we let them know that school is not just about football alone and they must attend their classes," Kelly said.