Retired teacher points the finger of blame for educational failings at parents rather than instructors in an eye-opening letter. In addressing the gap between American kids and their classmates abroad, the instructor touches thousands of people. “The teachers are not the problem!” the letter makes clear. Problems are parents!

According to the teacher, parental carelessness is the root cause of children’s lack of fundamental necessities, manners, and respect. Underscoring a mismatch in priorities, the teacher notes, “The children come to school in shoes that cost more than the teacher’s entire outfit, but have no pencil or paper.”

Do parents attend parent nights, for example, are among the questions posed in the letter that question their involvement? Ensure their kids are ready, do they? The teacher makes it quite plain that parents are the ones who are failing, not schools.

A call to action for parents to step up closes the passionate plea. The teacher says, “Teachers cannot do their jobs and the jobs of the parents.” Nothing will improve till parents take charge and carry out their duties.

Readers are invited to share this audacious position on social media if they agree with the teacher’s viewpoint.