SCHOOL SAFETY A PRIORITY

THE need to create “safe schools” in Barbados is high on the agenda of the Education Ministry, given a number of societal ills affecting schools and threatening the safety of Barbados’ student population.

Acting Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Senator Lucille Moe, noted the above as she delivered the feature address at the annual Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) Grace Thompson Memorial Teacher’s Professional Day event, held at Solidarity House yesterday.

“The Ministry has designed, developed and implemented a programme to address violence in schools, through the Schools’ Positive Behaviour Management Programme and the Barbados School Code of Conduct. Violence, drugs, alcohol, gang-related activities and other social ills are increasingly threatening the safety of Barbados’ student population. With the nation’s youth becoming increasingly exposed to violence in their communities, school administrators have had to deal with the impact on the teaching and learning environment,” Senator Moe remarked.

She added, “It is incumbent on the Ministry of Education, school administrators and the justice system to address these concerns. The teacher of the future therefore should be adept in the areas of emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, interpersonal and counselling skills.”

During a question and answer segment held later between the Acting Education Minister and teachers gathered in the auditorium, some teachers pointed out that violence in schools not only has an effect on students, but on teachers as well, who often have to live through the trauma of witnessing the violence.

Agreeing that the entire school is affected, Senator Moe sought to link the violence to the changing fabric of society.

“I think violence has a lot to do with society. It’s a reflection of your society, as the society changes. There has been a big change in the social fabric of our nation,” she commented.

“What I will say is that when we were young, there were certain things that Barbadians did as a matter of recourse, regardless of socio-economic conditions. Everybody went to church or had some level of religious education. It was not optional. You did not have the choice of saying, ‘I am not going to Sunday School,’ or ‘I am not going to church.’ You had to go to church. Also, the fabric of family life is also different. We’ve got people who probably grew up mainly around their grandparents. I certainly spent a lot of time with my grandparents, so that’s another generation in between that gives another set of values of how you look at life,” she further stated.

Noting that there are a number of other factors contributing to the violence society is now witnessing, Senator Moe suggested that technology also plays a great part in showing some of the worst things the world has to offer. Something as simple as video games can contribute to negative social behaviours, she said, whilst suggesting that at present, there is no regulatory standards for the types of games many youngsters are exposed to. (RSM)