Police in schools a bad idea

THE EDITOR: Police inside schools to protect students and teachers inside the schools from students inside the schools? I share Anna Maria Mora’s consternation. Let’s budget. We’ll buy policemen (how many for each school?) — they won’t be teaching; only protecting. Will some ‘bad boy’ target some of them because they are too conscientious in the performance of their duties or because some people ‘just don’t like police’? Then, will that lead to harsh repressive measures and the spinning circle of violence? Even if there is order, will the ‘bad boys’ be really converted to a philosophy of peace and order. Will all this prevent us from having to spend more and more on new prisons and anti-crime devices? Will it give us a more civil society?

The Ministry of Education can be commended on the direction and implementation of its education programme. I also commend the work of TTUTA and the community efforts by the police, army and other groups. But we need to budget for the following: (a) introduction of a national programme of training in parenting; (b) an increase in the establishment for guidance officers by 400 percent or so; c) an adequate corps of psychologists, psychiatrists, etc for the system; (d) specialised training in teacher training for all teacher trainers; (e) emphasis on training in teaching in all teacher training (including remedial work, evaluation), (f) training for principals, supervisors and other management staff; (g) reducing the size of classes (this, combined with training for teachers and managers will revolutionise student development) — this should become easier as we are beginning to have more school places than students; (h) transferring teacher training to outside class time (vacation, pre-service, study leave); (i) structuring training modules to lead to certification, monetary compensation and consideration for promotion; (j) substitute teachers so students will not lose class time; (k) introduction of subjects/programmes to assist personal development even if this means less time for academic subjects (this helps to produce greater motivation and better people); (l) a shift in emphasis from teaching everything to students to their learning much more on their own. Sounds a lot? We can’t do without them as inadequacies in parenting and professional training are our fundamental weaknesses.

For years people have been complaining about inadequate parenting. I have been suggesting methods for at least ten years. I have not been alone. Some groups have been doing a bit here and there but, nationally, have we done enough? The Prime Minister’s proposal for a national corrective programme for dropouts is highly commendable but dropouts will keep dropping out if the earlier weaknesses are not removed. Of course, there are other things like employment for parents and school leavers, media awareness of how they impact on the society in general and youth in particular; but one short letter cannot take all that. Is this budget expensive? Yes but, as a percentage of the national budget, we spend on education far less than is advised. Buildings are important but some other things are even more so — and they may not come cheap.

VAN STEWART
Diego Martin