The editorial ‘Teachers’ Duty of Care’ (March 7) couldn’t have been better. On the other hand, I was very disappointed to read how the spokeswoman from the Education Department expressed herself on the news of the Eritrean seven-year-old boy who wandered off from Marsascala school and was found four hours later in Msida. This happened a few days ago. How can she say that there was “no basis for parents to worry”?

Without being anyone’s judge, I must say that her remark was highly irresponsible and uncalled for. How can a parent not worry when her seven-year-old son is unaccounted for for some four hours? I am sure that for the parents and for all those responsible four hours looked like an eternity. We all thank God that the boy was eventually found safe and sound as otherwise all the department would have worried.

The incident reminded me of when one of my grandchildren who used to attend a Church school in Sliema had to go to Mater Dei for some dental treatment during school hours. Although the head of school knew me very well, I had to produce a written note from her mother for the child to be allowed to leave the school premises. This is what I call teachers’ duty of care.

Let us hope that the four-hour disappearance of the Eritrean boy will serve as an eye-opener for the introduction of more security at schools.