Devon DickTHE NATION has been stunned by the recent violence in schools sending citizens to try to analyse where we have gone wrong and what are the solutions. It is not that there has not been violence before, but the nature of the violence is more frightening, wherein boys are challenging the authority figure of a security guard, gangs of boys are stabbing each other and also the conveyors of knowledge are subject to physical harm.
It is also disturbing that a traditional high school with Baptist origins that is celebrating its 90th anniversary is one of the schools involved in this mob-like behaviour. Calabar, Frome and Clan Carthy along with other schools, need to understand the threat that we are facing and institute measures that will tackle the problem before it becomes a monster. Other schools must implement preventative measures and not feel that it cannot happen to them. With the fallout in the financial sector the adopt-a-school programme diminished but the concept needs to be revised and the partners in the process widen.
In searching for solutions one must be careful that one does not engage in the blame game. Already some teachers are blaming administrators and some citizens are blaming the Minister of Education because of the ruling in the case of the Munro students who smoked ganja and were expelled by the Board of Governors from the school. However, the Munro issue should not be compared to the acts of violence in some schools because ganja-smoking is to stabbing someone so as to necessitate hospitalisation as a child stealing a mango is to a child robbing a bank with a gun.
Furthermore, the Education Act of 1980 states that, 'The principal of a public educational institution may suspend from the institution, for a period not exceeding 10 days, any student-' Then the principal has to report it forthwith to the student council, parent and the Board. Then the Board, 'during the period of suspension, investigate the matter and may, after the investigation' reinstate the student suspend the child for a further period not exceeding five school days or expel the child.
However, one cannot both further suspend the child and then expel for the same offence. One must respect due process and document evidence and conduct a proper trial. Though the Board erred, the Education Regulation needs to be re-visited. It did not perceive an era when there would be many acts of serious indiscipline necessitating regular meetings of the Board. The Code requires that the investigation takes place during the period of suspension and woe unto the Board which has one serious case every week.
There was a time when the Board or the principal would be the final authority on matters of discipline but based on the Code parents can appeal to the Minister of Education. This provision should remain because we are living in a litigious age and parents and guardians would not think twice before taking the school to court. This way the onus is on the Ministry to take the brunt of the court proceedings.
What are some of the other measures that need to be done? There needs to be a closer collaboration between parents and teachers concerning the child. It is not enough to attend PTA meetings and pay dues. Each parent ought to know his or her child's teacher so that they can co-operate in the teaching enterprise and the appropriate punishment for wrongdoing and correct reward for outstanding work and behaviour. Campion College, Immaculate High and other schools have set aside time during school hours whereby parents can meet teachers to ascertain the performance of each pupil. This is a commendable approach and parents should be encouraged to understand the administration of the school and without being disruptive or too often to attend classes with their child.
The community should adopt the school that is located in their community even when students come from all parts of the parish. The community persons must have access to the school facilities at a cost and the community ought to care and protect the school property. The members of the community should attend school events like founder's day services, graduations, concerts, cultural programmes and significant days in the life of the school.
The Church has had a long association with education and it must adopt schools that are neighbouring their congregations. The congregants can visit the schools on a regular basis and just be there for any eventuality. They can support the guidance counsellors' programme and the school-feeding efforts. They can get involved in the sports programme and other activities.
In addition, each high school needs a chapel. The newer schools do not have chapels and even the Church school, Morant Bay High that was built in the 1960s does not have a chapel. A chapel is symbolic of the centrality of God in the affairs of the school and the lives of students, staff and parents. The chapel ought to be a place where wholesome values are taught and caught and where the right tone is set for the day and week. That is where character-building and spiritual formation can be formulated.
It is not a place for denominational doctrinal teaching or an occasion to bash students; rather it ought to be a place of worship where love for God and neighbour as self is taught. It should be a time when love for country and civic duties are reinforced. The National Anthem should be sung regularly and the National Pledge said frequently.
Other existing good programmes like PALS must be strengthened. More past students must be involved in the mentoring system and be involved in the basic school, primary school and high school that were part of their development. Members of the school boards must continue to make visits to the school outside of attendance at Board meetings and special functions. Let us adopt a school.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
