THE EDITOR, Sir:THERE IS nothing in this world that cannot stand a little improvement. In any existing organisation or system, the call for reform will not emanate from those who generally find the status quo beneficial to themselves. The launch of the safe schools programme on Monday September 6, 2004 is quite commendable. Having a Police as a Resource Officer in designated schools can only do good.
However commendable, there is much more to be done in order to put a dent in indiscipline in schools generally. "What greater or better gift can we offer the republic than to teach and instruct our youth" said the famous Cicero. Cicero's words are as true today as they were 2,000 years ago.
Discipline is probably the number one topic in education. "Discipline is tied directly to behaviour", said C.M. Charles in his book 'Building Classroom Discipline'." It is intended to suppress, control and redirect that sort of behaviour" he adds.
There are many problems occurring among the young which, by extension, reveal the turmoil in adolescent society: emotional maladjustment, gang warfare, suicide, school failure, and theft, to name a few. But we cannot solve these problems by lashing out at the young with venom and hostility. Many of these children who are behaving in such anti-social and self-destructive ways are badly in need of wise and understanding parents who anchor them in their personal crisis.
The schools must take charge.
Teachers can exert powerful control over student behaviours in many ways. According to C.M. Charles, teachers should:
1. Try their best to teach well; giving it their all; showing concern about their students' learning and feelings (even under small renumeration).
2. Employ the self-fulfilling prophecy, truly expecting students to learn and behave as gentle human beings.
3. Try to build the student self, which grows from achievement, recognition, and the realisation that someone (the teacher) prizes them as individuals.
4. Set standards for learning and classroom demeanour, and enforcing those standards, the function we refer to as discipline.
All teachers must speak with one voice when it comes to discipline. It must reflect in how we speak to students, how we carry ourselves and the standards we maintain.
I am, etc.,
PAUL MESSAM
President of the Acadia
Citizens Assn.
Wickham Ave
Kingston 8
