We agree with the Demopolis Board of Education’s decision to allow the principals to screen President Barack Obama’s Tuesday telecast and find a more convenient time for it to be played.

Teachers have a finite time in which to instruct their pupils. The video, while brief, could prove disruptive during regularly scheduled coursework.

While we are in no way concerned that the video may be laced with political propaganda — a brief Internet search will reveal otherwise — we completely support the teachers and their roles as generals of the classroom.

Obama’s message — the importance of taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed — is fine.

However, it’s a point that should be driven home by our local parents and teachers.

It’s nice to have that reinforced by someone of President Obama’s stature, but in the long run, those noses are better served glued to textbooks than pointed at the television.

Teachers can work Obama’s message into their curriculum as their schedule allows rather than the other way around.