Whiteman EDUCATION MINISTER Burchell Whiteman said the referral programme being developed in the island's high schools will require the co-operation of parents, teachers and the general society to preserve discipline in schools.
In a back-to-school address to the nation last night, Mr. Whiteman said such co-operation would be necessary if "we are to capture our young people, preserve discipline and good order in our schools and help all our students to succeed."
He said: "It was a programme to build lives, not a centre for isolating wrong-doers," adding that "we must focus on regeneration, renewal and success."
The Minister was speaking against the background of the increased violence and indiscipline in the island's schools.
Earlier this year, principals at a meeting in Kingston threatened not to re-open schools at the start of the 2000/2001 academic year unless the Government took decisive action to stem violence in schools. Mr. Whiteman later responded by announcing the establishment of rehabilitation centres.
In his address last night, Mr. Whiteman appealed to students in high school to make "respect" a constant in their lives.
"We know that life is challenging in your teenage years," said the Minister, himself a former teacher. "There are all kinds of issues and attractions that you want to explore. But remember the goal you set for yourself and let nothing side-track you from that. Respect yourself," he said.
Mr. Whiteman, expressing gratitude to mentors, business people and other professionals, volunteers and church members in outreach, said, "Now more than ever we need your help for our students in the personal ways that only you as an individual can give to a young person needing support and guidance."
He called on the students themselves to "respect your friends and fellow students. Respect your teachers and other staff. Respect the rules of the school. Respect your life and use it as God intended you to use it".
Also, he urged a return to instilling values, attitudes and morals in the nation's children so they could take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered to them.
"We have to instil that value called 'respect' and ensure that it becomes part of them and of ourselves in all its many applications," said the Minister. "We have spent time, money and effort getting our schools physically ready for the new term. But if that doesn't contribute to building respect among our students, it will have been largely wasted."
He lauded the performance of the students who took part in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and Caribbean Examinational Council (CXC) examinations.
"This year your performance has given us new hope," Mr. Whiteman said. "The same goes for the more advanced students and adults. You are all part of the forward march of our country while you improve your own prospects for a better life."
He pointed to the increase in the number of government grant-aided schools from 27 in 1950 to 151 in 2000, noting that "we will be creating more within a few years to ensure that nobody is forced to end formal education at age 15." In the meantime, however, "let us make the best use of what we have. I say to every student and particularly those in our high schools, make every moment count," Mr Whiteman said.
