The solution to school violence — get serious!

If we want serious pupils, let’s have serious policies. If we want serious students, let’s have serious systems. If we want serious followers, let’s have serious leaders... Deviant behaviour is the students’ way of saying to the authorities “You’re not serious, so we are joining in the fun!”

This column has made the point before, and I’ll make it again. The school indiscipline/violence problem in our country will only grow worse until the relevant authorities get serious. Basically, this is all the rogue students are waiting on. Virtually every time students are involved in these kinds of negative behaviour, they are essentially saying: “You are not serious, so we are having fun!”

Anyone will make fun of a system that appears to be a joke. And the first to discern and detect when a system is not serious are children — preteens and teens. They are also the first and fastest to exploit such a system. (Sadly, in several cases, this is the beginning of their life of crime). We choose to get into all kinds of fancy “high science” talk, while pretending to be blind to the fact that the answer is very basic: a discipline problem reveals the need for a discipline solution. If the problem is indiscipline, it basically mirrors a lack in the school’s operation as far as encouraging, enforcing and upholding discipline is concerned. Mind you, I’m fully aware that an effective education system must give meaningful attention to a number of key areas, such as psychological and sociological factors, behavioural science, self-esteem, environmental appropriateness, curriculum design, multi-intelligence and stress considerations, managing emotions, classroom management and a host of other related stuff. But all of these would be vastly undermined, in the absence of a solid structure of discipline.

There has to be an absolutely clear signal of a zero tolerance policy sent out to students, teachers and parents, from the form one orientation. This has to be firmly upheld with consistency. Here is primarily where the difference lies between the schools which have their disciplinary challenges under control, and those which do not. It’s also very evident that the spiritual culture of the denominational schools make a huge positive difference in the discipline issue. Why education authorities continue to refuse to adopt this model for other schools, is another big puzzle. The Minister of Education began by pointing out teacher absenteeism as a major cause of school indiscipline. She later went on to identify Carnival and drugs as culprits. And she does have a valid point in each case. Others have been attempting to highlight “causes” such as single parenting, lack of love and care, the Junior Secondary system, universal education and social class.

An effective system of discipline is fundamental to effectively dealing with all of the above challenges and creating success. When we compromise our standards, our charges don’t conform, they show contempt. It’s absolutely irresponsible and absurd to allow a few delinquent students to interrupt an entire class or school, without the school’s authorities, taking a firm stand to promptly and permanently stamp out the foolishness. It does not matter how much love, care and psychology we have in the schools, there will be those pupils (usually a few) who will be bent on making mischief and disrupting everything good. A strong, consistent system of discipline will therefore be imperative to deal with these elements. There is simply no other practical, workable way. I have been in the teaching business for a long time. I have seen many children who are from single-parent, less fortunate homes among the most disciplined, and decent — as well as brightest — students. In fact many single-parent kids also attend schools which do not have major discipline problems. The problem is not necessarily single-parents or poorer children, but the school system.

I fully agree that love, care, counsel and guidance are quite necessary in dealing with the turbulent teens of today. But if tender love is not balanced with tough love, then we’ll only breed monsters. It’s very important that parents also know this and maintain a close-working partnership with the school. It is well known that certain parents undermine the school’s disciplinary standard, by siding with their errant children when school discipline is enforced. I have also noticed that nobody wants to admit that the bigger upsurge in school violence began some four years ago when corporal punishment was effectively removed from schools. Teachers also have to be fully aware that they must teach by example. It’s very difficult for delinquent, disorganised teachers to produce disciplined, well-rounded, well-adjusted students.

Like every other school, at Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School, we have had challenges. But the words of School Supervisor Rampaul Maharaj, at our recent prize-giving function may tell a somewhat interesting story. Maharaj remarked: “We have discipline problems in schools today, but at Miracle Ministries High you are certainly doing something right. I promise to personally take some of your strategies on school discipline to the Honourable Minister (of Education).  “After the last SEA exam we have had scores of students seeking transfer into Miracle Ministries High. You have to be doing something right. Imagine a school only three years old and there is such a big demand for transfers in.” If we want serious pupils, let’s have serious policies. If we want serious students, let’s have serious systems. If we want serious followers, let’s have serious leaders.