Children have rights, teachers none

THE EDITOR: If vision 2020 is seeking to transform the society for the good of all, then there must be radical and comprehensive transformation in the society. At present we are reeling under the effects of poor attitudes and deviant behaviour in Trinidad and Tobago.

As a result, many people seem to have given up hope on our young generation. Crime statistics reveal that many young people, particularly boys, find themselves in trouble with the law and engage in other forms of deviant behaviour. To counteract this situation, we should be focusing on primary school children to shape and mould them for a more humane and productive society in future. Adults and secondary school students should also be included in such an initiative. Further, “professional” and “intelligent” should be our watch words because too many people in Trinidad and Tobago do not behave in this manner. Even our politicians are at fault in this regard. Surely, if this is their standard, what do they expect of the masses in society? No one wants to take blame for the indiscipline and the escalating crime rate in society. So many things have gone wrong. The lack of moral and ethical values displayed by adults in all walks of life does not escape the attention of our children. They are fully aware of what is happening around them. They long for role models and exemplary behaviour. Instead, society attempts to use the teacher and the school as “footballs.”

A damaging mistake was made by making universal secondary education the accepted policy without considering the implications of such action. For example, did our policy makers consider whether slower children would be able to cope with the school system? Or whether they should be put into separate classes apart from the brighter students? Or if there should be a different curriculum and examination for them? Many times teachers, as professionals, have given their input to proposed policy, but were ignored by the political directorate for political mileage and prestige. When the implementation of such policies backfires and fails, then scapegoats are created. Further, teachers are now made to understand by their superiors, that their students have all the rights and they have none. If such a situation continues, how will teachers be able to correct or guide students to become better citizens?

Ironically, the parents of these deviant students, allow them total freedom and have contributed to spoiling their children. Further, teachers do not seem to have the support of these parents. The situation is not insolvable, but there must be radical change in various quarters: at the Ministry of Education, in our homes, schools and the wider community. In addition, no longer must we be concerned with only management. Leadership must be recognised as a critical ingredient in the transformation process towards vision 2020.

THERESA S
WICKHAM
Port-of-Spain