VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS

THE RISING incidence of violence in schools today, a reflection not only of stress within the society but negative peer pressure as well as parental indifference, has to be contained and even rolled back appreciably before it explodes.

Violence in the schools is an unfortunate imitation of violence in the wider community and has to be approached through seeking to properly motivate the children as well as a combination of disciplining and counselling of the children. In turn counselling may be necessary for any of the parents, as well as the setting up of adult education programmes for those who opted out of school at an early age and are in need of catch-up training.

The training would allow for skills development and perhaps a positive view of their responsibilities.
Today's outburst of violence in schools, part of a worldwide phenomenon, of which the Columbine tragedy is but a stark example, has to be dealt with firmly and expeditiously, but with an understanding face.

Save in extreme cases, where punitive action has to be taken and the violent sent to reform institutions, the children should not be excluded from the formal education system. Instead, special classes to which specially trained teachers should be assigned should be created in existing schools, so that the targetted children, some of whom are neglected and disturbed, may be able to continue their education without a lowering of their self esteem.

But even those sent, via the Courts to reform institutions, should still have the opportunity to either complete their academic education or their vocational education and develop skills. To exclude them from any further chance at the education process would be to make them easy, and perhaps willing, prey of seasoned criminals.

The separation of classes (or streams) is necessary if they are not to be allowed to distract other children, who have taken their education seriously and are willing to take optimum advantage of the education opportunities offered them.

The violent, and for that matter slow learners, need to be offered every chance at upgrading their efficiency, and preferably in the same schools as before, although in differently assigned classes. To create special schools for troublesome students would be to encourage a feeling of isolation and would only further demotivate them. While we are opposed to mollycoddling, it is shortsighted to lump the mildly with the extremely violent. Instead, the Ministry of Education should arrange pilot programmes in which counsellors visit the homes and parents of poorly behaved children.

As we stated earlier, we must deal firmly with errant children, but to consciously exclude them from the education process will create a thinking and a situation far more dangerous to the wider society than what exists today.

A student, who attacks and injures another student or a teacher with a weapon, or who threatens to kill another child or a teacher, is an extreme case and should be charged and taken before the Courts.

Should the Court find him/her guilty and send the individual to a correctional institution, the child should continue to be given a chance to access education, and so minimise the possibility of coming out a confirmed criminal.