Minister of Education and Culture Burchell Whiteman (left) makes a point during a press briefing at his office in Heroes Circle yesterday. Seated beside him is his State Minister, Phyllis Mitchell.
THE MINISTRY of Education is to establish a rehabilitation and counselling centre for problem students at the end of September in an attempt to curb the problem of violence and indiscipline in the nation's high schools.
The Education Minister, Burchell Whiteman, said the proposal was made by high school principals who had a number of meetings with representatives of the Ministry recently in which they dealt with matters such as violence and the breakdown of discipline in schools. Plans are now being hammered out to get the facility off the ground, he said.
"We cannot give all the details at this time but we have committed to the principals of the schools and we commit to the nation to have that programme and facility in place by the end of September," the Minister said at a press briefing at the Ministry yesterday.
Under the programme, students who demonstrate disruptive behaviour and anti-social tendencies will be taken from their schools and placed in the facility where they will be given counselling geared towards preparing them for reintegration into their respective schools.
The counselling sessions are to be conducted by psychologists and trained counsellors who would either be paid or participate in the programme on a voluntary basis.
Alongside counselling, teachers would be brought in to help the students continue their academic work, the Minister said. He said parents would have to sign the necessary agreements with the schools that would allow for their children to be referred to the facility if necessary.
"We believe if we are able to provide the schools ... with that kind of service then it will relieve a lot of pressure that they are facing," the Minister said.
Meanwhile psychologist, Dr. Leahcim Semaj yesterday welcomed the announcement made by the Minister. He said it was a good idea to temporarily remove delinquents from the school so special attention could be placed on their rehabilitation. This, he said, would reduce the burden on teachers and administrators who have spent an enormous amount of time on disciplining children.
"We have more to lose if we don't do it," Dr. Semaj said.
Mr. Whiteman said the Ministry was looking at whether legislation was necessary to establish such a programme.
The Minister would not be drawn on the possible cost of such a project. However, he noted it was likely the cost would have to be shared between the schools, the parents of delinquent children and the Ministry.
-Junior Dowie Photo
