Get to root of the problem

THE time is now!

Education Minister Ronald Jones says the visuals of recent violent acts of secondary school students, after which some of the attackers were taken into custodial care, have awakened the consciousness of the people of Barbados.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the YWCA’s Funfest, which was held at Queen’s College yesterday. He said not only must there be immediate intervention, but it must be sustained in order to “rescue our young people”.

His comment came as he revealed that some students exhibiting behavioural problems who are placed at the Edna Nicholls Centre and drug tested as is customarily done, are found with marijuana levels sometimes 15, 20 and even 40 per cent above the minimum detectable level. He also posited that many young people are being abused and are being preyed upon by adults, adding to their aggression.

The Minister revealed that focus groups are currently being planned, with the view of truly getting to the bottom of why young people are so angry in our schools.

“The immediacy is now. You have been hearing so much. You have to capture the moment.” He also revealed that Ministry officials met with the BNCPTA, which will be rolling out an “assignment” over the next few weeks.

He said the goal is to gather the information and engage all parties, which would ultimately help officials to plan for the September term.

“We have not heard from those who might be involved in violence … Let’s hear from them. Let’s engage them in conversation to hear what are their challenges. As a result of hearing from them we are better able to apply those solutions whether than coming and pulling things from the sky and applying them to our children.”

Jones said he is particularly concerned about the response of the public toward children who have gone astray, calling for them to be jailed, noting that no positive solutions are being advanced, particularly in the most recent incident which went viral on social media.

The Minister expressed grave concern about the pack mentality and level of aggression being seen by girls in schools, a phenomenon which he highlighted a few years ago.

“The pack behaviour is very prevalent and present … clawing … stamping …screaming. Several on one, or several on two.”

He also noted that there is a “stage behaviour” when cameras are rolling. “Today everybody is a videographer. Technology today makes it possible for you to simply take your smartphone or your tablet and record events. Even though you are standing behind the lens, you are a participant in the activity, not a mere watcher,” he warned. (JH)