TTUTA’s 18-point plan for school violence

Following a crisis meeting with officials of primary and secondary schools last Thursday, the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association yesterday forwarded a letter to Education Minister Hazel Manning to meet to discuss “a way of ending the escalating spate of school violence.”

In a press conference last Friday, Oliver said he intended to forward the list of 18 proposals to the minister. A tentative meeting date for November 7, at 10 am has been suggested. He explained that TTUTA, along with the secondary and primary school officials felt the ministry was “dragging its feet” with respect to implementing various strategies which can help the current situation. Adding that they moving “ming pi-ling” with the funding necessary to implement these programmes, Oliver said TTUTA was willing to work with the ministry to get any project started that can help students to appreciate one another instead of trying to kill each other in an institution of learning. The following is the list of 18 proposals as compiled by TTUTA, and officials of both primary and secondary schools:

1. All schools develop a code of conduct — a collaborative effort involving students, teachers and administration, to be ready for the new term.
2. A collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and media to highlight positive happenings at schools.
3. Functioning of students councils in all secondary schools by the beginning of the new school term January 2004.
4. Filling of all vacancies in schools.
5. Out of school constructive suspension for ringleaders in violence. Suspension must be continued where this is necessary, and must be rehabilitative in nature.
6. Organised developmental supervision in all schools which includes a principal management team and relevant school supervision.
7. Organised referral system for all schools.
8. Management Eval-uation Committee in-volving representatives of Ministry, TTUTA,  PTA, and Principals’ Associa-tion.
9. Zero tolerance — law enforcement and judiciary to act expeditiously in cases where criminal activities are involved.
10. Discussions of the new curriculum between TTUTA and the Ministry to determine relevance.
11. Adequate competent security system at all secondary and senior comprehensive schools. Communi-cation to solicit assistance as required.
12. Setting up of student and teacher support groups.
13. Total ban on incendiary devices. Fireworks to be done by the fire services or other competent authorities.
14. Frequent police patrols around high risk schools.
15. Speedy implementation of a supply teacher programme.
16. Development of a culture of peace for schools.
17. Teacher training and orientation.
18. Massive campaigning in quality parenting and involving seminars and media programmes.