Stop complaining about children and try to help them, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Glenda Jennings-Smith said on Saturday as she called for a cohesive approach in dealing with student delinquency, bullying, sexual misconduct and violence in schools.
Speaking at the National Parent Teacher Association leadership symposium held at the Pleasantville Secondary School, Jennings-Smith said the only way to save T&T was to put children first.
She said despite intervention strategies, children were having a hard time dealing with the pressures of society.
“Just take a look at the media reports about our nation’s school children. There is just so much negativity that our children have to cope with,” she said. Noting that government and the citizenry needed to work together, Jennings-Smith said it was important to meet the needs of children.
“Putting children first means making personal sacrifices for their benefit, creating a safe environment for them to grow and to learn.
She added, “There must be a cohesive and integrated approach to effectively address the issues that are facing our schools today which include crime, gang activity, human trafficking, bullying and cyber-bullying, truancy, school fights, illicit sexual behaviour, disrespect toward teachers and poor academic performance.”
Jennings-Smith said, “The Government has a critical role to play but if we continue to complain about these issues without action we surely would get nowhere.”
She said the Government’s Vision 2030 National Development Policy dictates that children be nurtured and protected.
One way of doing this was through the National Crime Prevention Programme which works towards reducing crime and deviant behaviour.
“While the new programme originates from the Ministry of National Security, it is a model for true collaboration between governmental and non-governmental institutions, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, academia, civil society, and the business community,” she said.
She noted that it is only through collaboration that peace, harmony and civility could be restored in communities.
President of the NPTA Raffiena Ali-Boodoosingh, speaking at the same event, said troubled children must get the help they need.
“We cannot give up on children. All children, no matter their circumstances, have the same right to education. The Ministry of Education has support systems to help children and this should be utilised.”
She said when an entire community chastises a child, it tells the child that he or she is no good.
“Everyone has to come together and assist,” Ali-Boodoosingh said.