The education speech by President Barack Obama that was broadcast yesterday to students around the county has caused a lot of controversy with some parents not wanting their children to see the speech, because they fear the President may be giving them a political message.

Despite the controversy, the St. Tammany Parish School Board said that most of the students will have a chance to see a taped version of the speech sometime this week.

St. Tammany Schools Director of Communication Meredith Mendez said that most of students will watch the broadcast this week. It was not shown live because it conflicted with lunch and other activities. School officials will decided when they students will see it. If parents do not wish their children to participate in viewing the speech, they can send a letter requesting their child be given an alternate assignment. The Archdiocese of New Orleans principals were given the option of broadcasting the message in their schools after consultation with their pastors. Superintendent of Schools Sister Kathleen Finnerty said in a statement from Archbishop Gregory Aymond that those schools that choose to show the address should show it in an auditorium with the permission of the students’ parents, not in a classroom setting.

The archdiocese has also allowed parents to choose to not let their students view the broadcast.

Most schools were viewing the speech first to determine whether the message was age appropriate for various classes. Most have indicated they will either address students on the importance of education from the address or will show it later in the week during a social studies class.

Obama’s speech emphasized the need for students to set goals for their education and do what they can to meet them.

Some of the advice he gave to students included don’t give up on yourself, let your failures teach you, don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help when you need it and don’t ever give up on yourself.

The president recounted his and First Lady Michelle Obama’s own stories and experiences and how they overcame adversities to get the educations they wanted to succeed and follow their dreams.

He encouraged students in today’s classrooms to do the same thing — accept the responsibility of doing one’s homework, attending class and paying attention in class.

“Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up,” said the President. “No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future. That’s what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.”

Obama cited examples of children overcoming adversities like brain cancer, not speaking English or foster children bouncing from home to home.

He also told students that being successful is not easy, but hard work. He warned that students may not like every subject they take or every teacher they have. Most of all, the President said that persistence and determination can determine success.

“J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published,” Obama said. “Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, ‘I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.’”