I know the feeling. Day after day, week after week, stuck behind a desk, and ever looking forward to the end of the last lesson. And then,  after that comes the homework! Why, all those years ago, did they do it to me? Why do we do it to you? It can be tough but, as we grow older, it all falls into place.

When you view a wildlife programme on TV you often see the youngsters, the cubs etc., carefully watching their parents, learning how to survive, how to hunt, in fact learning all the tricks of the trade peculiar to the own species. Is it not fascinating to see the little troop of ducks following mum round the pond? For the most part these creatures do not think logically as we do, but rely on what is known as instinct. Whatever it is that drives them, they would not last long without it.

Before we had schools for all our children, mums and dads used to pass on to them whatever they themselves knew so that, when the time arrived, their kids would have some sort of a chance in our human jungle. And that is, essentially, what school is all about; preparing us for our adult life so that we will be prosperous and successful.

If your school is run properly - that is to say if your teachers know their job – you will notice that, while part of the time is spent learning just facts and figures, your skill at reasoning things out is also being tested. This is very important, as you cannot solve problems by knowing that Paris is on the Seine or that lemurs live in Madagascar.

In what we call an ideal world, you would all do your best and work as hard as possible. However, we know that this does not always happen, which is not only annoying for us but bad, very bad, for you. We know also, only too well, that some other pupils will tell you that it is not ‘cool’ to study, to succeed in exams and to behave responsibly. Have you ever wondered why these characters take this foolish line? It is simply because they want to bring you down to their level. They know that they will never maker the grade, and want to see you in the same boat. Of course, their ideas are very tempting. The easy way out is to learn nothing and to know nothing. But just peep into the future. To achieve nothing? Is this what you really want?

The playground is a difficult place to live in. To buck the trend you may need courage but we know that, in the end, the numbers will be on your side. Just for starters, whenever that much misused word ‘cool’ comes up again, tell them that, in English, it means the opposite of ‘warm’ and nothing else. We are looking out for you. Never, ever, be afraid to call on us. That is what the BPP-Youth are for!

Issued by the BPP Youth Division - looking out for young Whites!