By Steven Vickerie
Violence in schools has appeared on many news cycles within the past several months. But it seems that even with public condemnation and little intervention thus far from the Ministry of Education, a proper structure for conflict resolution between disgruntled parents, their children and teachers is still lacking.
For 2023, there have been a total of six incidents of violence between teachers and parents. Three of those resulted in the serious injuries to teachers, one of whom was beaten by a student and a group of men earlier this year. There was also another incident where a student and a teacher were beaten by a gang of men that invaded a school a few months ago.
Since the incidents, there has been public condemnation by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) which has constantly called for a better security apparatus at several learning institutions, especially since many persons, including gangs, are forcefully making their way in schools to attack not only teachers but students.
In highlighting this still prevalent issue, Guyana Standard spoke to an Educator, who has been involved in one of these violent acts in recent times. Because of the sensitivity of the situation she was involved in, this news outlet agreed to not ask Miss Kimone Gentle questions about the attack at her school.
NO RESPECT FOR TEACHERS
Quite often, we hear about the plight of teachers from the Ministry of Education or the Guyana Teachers Union, unless there’s a nationwide strike like the one that was staged in 2018. Think about it . How often does an Educator come to the fore and state their challenges it plain and simple?
An outright Miss Gentle, and one who is among the exception, expounded that the current situation in the school system is a horrible one.
Against that backdrop however, Miss Gentle, who has been teaching for close to two decades, told this publication that there is a breakdown of respect for teachers in the school system. In drawing reference to times past, she noted that children in recent times, for some reason, see teachers as their equals, and not influential figures who impart knowledge.
“In my days, we respected teachers. We not only respected them, but we feared them. These were people who not only taught us but instilled discipline as well. For some reason, these children of today are not only disrespectful, but they operate as if their actions bare no consequences. As Educators we try our best with these students but we can’t save all of them,” Miss Gentle said.
She noted too that with the absence of corporal punishment, and even with the advent of alternative punishments, students continue to act in a disrespectful manner and without morals. “There’s only so much we can do as teachers. Boys and girls behave in a manner as if they don’t care what the future holds. As a teacher sometimes you speak with them about their behavior and it’s as if they don’t care what I have to say,” Ms. Gentle said.
She highlighted that most times when disciplinary action is taken against errant students, it is often met with what has been highly publicized; the violence and attack on teachers. Miss Gentle noted that the situation has reached an unbearable limit in which parents are representing the ill-mannered way students operate.
CHARITY NO LONGER BEGINNING AT HOME
Miss Gentle reiterated that there is a growing situation in the schools in which students continue to display disrespect for not only adults, but also those in authority. She suggested that this may be a breakdown of teachings within the home setting. She said it appears that charity no longer begins at home, and as such, this is now spilling over to the school system.
“Long ago our parents used to give power to our teachers to discipline us when we were going wayward. That’s not the case now. We have parents coming into the schools wanting to assault teachers for teaching children to be respectful. Most times we hear, ‘I don’t hit my child so you can’t.’ From speaking with parents, we understand where everything stems from. Parents clearly have to be more involved,” Ms. Gentle said.
She also highlighted that with an even harder economy, some parents are usually occupied with keeping the lights on and making sure that there are meals provided for their children. Miss. Gentle said that while this is an understandable situation, students are becoming more disrespectful and unappreciative of the sacrifices parents make.
“It is evident that there is little attention being paid to children from their parents. We as teachers understand this and we do our part when they’re here with us. But again I say this, there’s only so much we can do to make sure that these students not only learn what is set on the school curriculum but at the same time learn values,” Miss Gentle said.
She continued, “I believe that charity is no longer beginning at home. We need to start teaching our children to respect their elders again and to respect their teachers. These are values that are lacking currently from our young people.”
She implored that parents work more with teachers to mold not only the minds, but also their personalities of the younger generation. Miss Gentle said that quite often, parents are making teacher’s their enemies. She implored further that teachers do not work in isolation when imparting knowledge on how to handle these challenging situations.
BETTER RELATIONS BETWEEN MOE & GTU
The Guyana Teachers Union and the Governments of Guyana now and in the past have been at loggerheads over better pay structures and additional benefits. The situation has sometimes been a melting pot, especially since constant promises have all fallen in the sea of forgetfulness. Most times, when these agreements are not ironed out, it is the students who suffer the consequences of adults.
Currently, teachers are among several classes of Public Servants still awaiting their promised salary adjustments from President Irfan Ali. Even as they are forced to wait much longer than others, the teachers remain unflinching in their effort to mold the minds of the next generation of leaders. This is evident at the level of the Caribbean Examination Council, (CXC). Guyana has outshined most of its Caribbean sisters, snatching the most prestigious accolades of academia.
Miss Gentle believes such achievements can be taken to new heights if there is more cooperation from the Union and the Government. She implored that instead of fighting against each other, both sides can meet at agreement in the best interest of teachers.
She concluded, “Already, the Ministry of Education has done its part in making sure that violence in schools stops. It might not be something widely reported but we as teachers are seeing the improvement. I want to see more cooperation and both sides must stop this nonsense. We all must work for one common good.”
