Deosaran blames politicians for child delinquency

THE behaviour of parliamentarians was yesterday identified as one of the causes of delinquency among children by Independent Senator Ramesh Deosaran, who noted that it was difficult to preach to children about delinquency and violence, when they see the Parliament becoming a violent jungle.

He also called for a march against those politicians who refuse to support kidnapping legislation. Deosaran was the feature speaker at the National Parent Teacher Association’s (NPTA) convention at the Jean Pierre Complex. The convention’s theme “Crime, everybody’s business 2003 and beyond” was preceded by a march against crime. The march began at the Croisee in San Juan and ended at the Complex. Deosaran reminded members of the purpose of their march and called for marches against kidnappings and against politicians who do not support kidnapping legislation.

Deosaran said in every area there were lines, which when crossed brought about punishment and it was time for the lines of discipline to be restored. He noted that the lines of discipline and civility, including in Parliament, were being crossed with viciousness and shamelessness which needed to be corrected. He said delinquency did not start with children, but at the homes. He said it entered the schools and when the behaviour of parliamentarians are seen by very observant children, delinquency flows to the streets.  He said it was therefore difficult to admonish children for verbal outbursts when they see the Parliament becoming a violent jungle. He said Trinidad and Tobago was a nation of hypocrites because even as we preach to the children about delinquency and violence, we as adults showed those attributes which we needed to rid from ourselves.

Referring to a study by the Centre for Criminology done last year on the relationships between parents and teachers in secondary schools, Deosaran said 40 percent of the teachers blamed parents for an increase in delinquency and 60 percent of parents blamed the teachers for increase in delinquency and the poor academic performance of their children. He said it was time for both parents and teachers to stop blaming each other and work more for mutual love and respect. He also said parents needed to give more critical support to teachers. Referring to the recent distribution of condoms to children, Professor Deosaran said he wished for a kind of condom to protect minds from evil around it.

On the issue of PTAs, Deosaran said it appeared it was only for parents and not teachers, there were more women than men, that the first duty of some parents was to go to schools and cuff and attack teachers and that the PTA was not yet having an influence on education policies. He went on to call for a more vibrant PTA and challenged the NPTA to develop a plan to get a $500,000 grant from government, to have more men at meetings, set up PTAs in 60 percent of the schools in the next three years, reduce delinquency, be more vibrant and powerful and to have a greater influence on educational policies.

Minister of National Security Howard Chin Lee who also spoke at the convention, said crime was everybody’s business and as such called on everyone to make a contribution to assist in ridding society of crimes. He said government would not surrender in fighting crime as he announced that the 24 hour joint police/army patrols in Laventille will continue and he anticipated that the action which he termed drastic, will continue indefinitely. He also identified poverty levels, parental support, education and values as some of the factors which impact on a person’s inclination to lawlessness.