Redman issues warning
THE President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), Mary Redman, has issued a warning to teachers to ensure that their schools carry out sporadic, surprise searches of school bags.
Redman told the media yesterday that against the noticeable and reported increase in gun crimes and other forms of violence to unprecedented levels in the country over a relatively short period, she had received many phone calls and messages from teachers expressing their concern and fear for their safety, as well of that of the children over whom they have duty of care.
She made the point that what happens in society sadly makes its way into the school system and noted that there is currently a situation where matters involving children taking weapons to school are not being handled properly.
This is why, Redman stressed, that searching school bags must be done regularly as a measure of precaution.
“Yes, many compounds are large with ample hiding spaces, but the action may stave off a disaster,” she said.
Redman also indicated that the Ministry of Education needs to address the problem at its source, and suggested that stakeholders coming together to find solutions, placing guidance counsellors in primary schools, increasing the number of guidance counsellors at secondary schools, are a few of the ways to tackle the issue.
“Stop frustrating students and teachers alike by having all schools across the system pursue almost all identical programmes regardless of their intake, and instead develop programmes for students in keeping with the intelligences of various groups.
“Kudos to them for the initiatives undertaken for implementation at St. George Secondary, but what did it take to get back there? The time, effort, physical and psychological injury and the united determination of teachers and their Union that things had to change,” she said.
The president also suggested that the Ministry start reorienting the thinking and attitudes of the wider society by recognising and rewarding excellence in areas other than academics, and must validate and give recognition where it is due.
“The Edna Nicholls School, where students love to be referred and claim it to be like going to a hotel where they are coddled and well fed... Imagine, an institution of this type to which deviant children are referred, sending the students back to their substantive institutions and stating that certain students are not to be referred there again, since they cannot deal with those students. They are finding it impossible and want the school to deal with them, and the Ministry wants the students to remain in the system,” Redman said.
“As teachers, we have to unite and put our feet down. Place pressure where it needs to be placed and cause something different to happen. That institution needs to be seriously revamped or closed down and resources placed into something else more efficient,” she added.
The president also argued that too often, students who are sent to the Juvenile Liaison Scheme do not attend, but are allowed back at school without having been through the programme they should have undergone there.
She also raised questions regarding the purpose and structure of the New Horizons School, which was opened for students who demonstrate they cannot function in a normal school environment. (AH)