THE EDITOR, Sir:
AS A teacher I have found it too difficult to sit back and not express myself publicly on some of the horrors that exist in the Jamaican classrooms. With over 15 years of service to this industry I have seen the Government tie the hands of teachers and school administration in issuing any form of disciplinary action against students who endanger the safety of teachers and students alike. The cry is always 'they are misguided' or 'they must learn'. I am not saying that may not be true, but, when I had to face down the barrel of a 9mm of a well to do student who objected to me embarrassing him by asking a question which he should have known, and having the issue swept under the carpet, all I can say is 'hogwash'!
PHYSICAL, VERBAL AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA
For far too long teachers have had to endure physical, verbal and emotional trauma from students and parents alike. While the cruel irony of the situation is that in defending yourself or disciplining a child you are accused of child abuse and hauled before the courts. To those at the top of the Ministry of Education, isn't it about time you gave teachers the right to do what is in the best interest of the general school population? Sitting in an air-conditioned office and issuing statements is so easy, but when will the reality of the war zone the over 22,000 teachers go to day in day out will be taken seriously?
BELITTLED IN THE PUBLIC
Teachers have always been belittled in the public by the ministry. We have been rendered rudderless ships. The violence in schools has suddenly become an overnight phenomenon. It has suddenly popped up on the radar screen. In light of this, will teachers still be left to fend for themselves? Will we have to continue to take threats and yet still teach the very youngsters who threaten us with physical harm?
Give schools the right they once had to discipline students. Stop talking through both sides of your mouth at once. The public obviously does not know the true extent to the violence against teachers, only of the cases in the news.
The death of a teacher should not be the event that brings these changes. Jamaica has been transformed into a dangerous society, so why should teachers not have right just like the child?
I am, etc.,
MARCOS WELLBY
marcwelljam@yahoo.com
