THE EDITOR, Sir:
Very confusing and also disturbing to me is the use of a paradox when it is well-known that it does not apply in a given situation.
Recently, a poll question asked, "Do you think government is doing enough to rid our schools of indiscipline?" Although the response wearies me, it helped me understand how some people are thinking.
The issue of indiscipline in schools is nothing new. It has only moved to a new level. And while efforts have been made to look at opinions and possibilities, it is neither fair nor safe for anyone to believe that any Government should make a decision on a matter which is not a consensus of the majority.
It has been suggested that the Government provide Boot Campus for students who bluntly refuse to conform to discipline in the schools and some individuals rejected the suggestion, even though a camp of a similar purpose is operated right here in the island. These individuals thought it was inhumane and outside of the Government's parameters to do such a thing. If that administration which is so often called 'Government' takes the decision to go ahead without the ultimate permission of all and sundry, and did such a thing, it would have probably caused more violence and the Government would probably have been ousted.
I say this against the background that indiscipline was not just born overnight in any school. It is normally a continuation of or an adding to what existed. The norm nowadays is for some children and young adults to be as rude as they possibly can while some parents and guardians embosom them whether out of sheer foolish love or in some cases, fear of what the children may do to them if they take corrective measures. The current crop of children are very smart even if not educated; and if they sense that they can 'tie adults around their fingers', they will certainly do so.
Speaking with children on different occasions, I have been told they that they seek attention by being rude, that they defy orders when they discover that they can out-wit adults and they detest adults who say things which they don't do.
It is now the sole responsibility of the school administration to enforce discipline, then they should be allowed to do so when necessary. If not, parents and guardians should instil discipline at home and go to school, if called by the administration, with a resolve to co-operate with the teachers.
No caregiver, be it teacher or otherwise, who has been manhandled or roughed up by a defiant student or child is going to be an angel to that same child. Some semblance of discipline should be brought back to our schools by the students themselves, practising and portraying what their parents taught them. There are things which only a Government can do for its people, but civil society must take responsibility for the things which affect citizens and should endeavour to correct the bad practices which now prevent positive growth.
I am, etc.,
ROSE DEWAR
Manchester
