Better Education and Santeria

The Associated Press is reporting that a New York public school principal has been accused of paying a woman to sprinkle chicken blood on her high school in an attempt to cleanse the school from negative energy.

For those who are not familiar with this religious practice, the news report provides a brief definition of Santeria:

Santeria is a blend of traditional African religions and Catholicism and first was practiced in the Caribbean by slaves who were prohibited from worshipping in other religions.

Read the complete news release here.

Santeria is not the solution for better education in our schools. The solution to the problem is the dismissal of teachers who cannot teach, the employment of capable teachers who know their subjects, and the preparation of students who want to dedicate themselves to a life of learning.

Too many students do not appreciate the value of a good education. Too many parents do not encourage their children to study hard and achieve in school. Too many teachers are boring and ill prepared to face the demands of the classroom.

The result is that many students hate school, many students do not want to study, and many students never finish high school. Unless students are motivated to study by teachers who are motivated to be better teachers, education in our schools will not accomplish its goals.

Santeria is not the solution for better education in our schools.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Education, Santeria, Teachers