The unpleasant events involving students of Mucurapo West Government Secondary and the Toco Composite schools among others within recent times, have depicted a breakdown of discipline and order within our education system.Clearly, built-up negative energy of a volatile nature has penetrated the psyche of some of our nation's children to the extent where our classrooms and school surroundings are being transformed into wrestling rings and battle zones.
Against a backdrop of public outrage and consternation, our stakeholders, the Ministry of Education, NPTA, TTUTA, and other concerned groups are evidently clueless in dealing effectively with issues of violence, school bullying and youth delinquency.Getting a firm grip on such acts of violence and delinquency exhibited by these misguided students extends beyond suspension from the classroom for a week or two.
We must institute stiffer penalties for school bullying. Undertaking community service while on suspension, exposing our children to skills-training in various areas–handicraft, interior decorating, cooking, among others, will help restore a sense of purpose and responsibility within the young mind.We need to expand the military training component throughout the secondary school system. Make cub scout/cadet force training mandatory in all schools as part of the curriculum.
What about our parent-teacher associations? Where is the collaboration between teachers and parents on a constant basis? The education ministry must conduct a comprehensive overview of security arrangements and systems in all our schools with particular emphasis on the troubled ones. Our guidance counsellors, social workers and even spiritual leaders need to play a greater role in the lives of our children. Are we teaching them moral and spiritual values, conflict resolution, taking responsibility for one's actions?
Have we forgotten all about the school pledge and national pledge?I distinctly remember these pledges at one time, adorned the inside covers of many copy books and were religiously verbalised at morning assembly when I attended primary school in the 1980s."I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of God and my country..."
Our young leaders should be made to recite these profound words at the start of each school day as a means of restoring values of commitment, pride, diligence, so rapidly diminishing within the education system.Ultimately, parents must take full responsibility for the indiscretions and behavioural misgivings of their children.
Moral values, discipline, dignity and respect all need to be inculcated in each child before he or she enters the classroom.The ultimate goal must be to save our delinquent students from further destruction.
Ashley Romany
Santa Cruz