As regional authorities move to address disciplinary problems at the Linden Foundation Secondary School, they learned last week that teachers had been forced to defend themselves during violent confrontations with students.
As part of the recently-launched “Operation Take Back” initiative, regional authorities held a series of meetings with the school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA), the student population and teachers and it was noted that teachers were placed in compromising situations by undisciplined students. Following the meetings, it was agreed that there is a need for the strengthening the school’s administration, better parental involvement and greater respect between teachers and students.
The initiative emerged after Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, prompted by the recent indictment against a number of students for violent crimes, convened a special meeting of officials from the Region 10 Department of Education, the Regional Democratic Council’s Education Committee, the Guyana Teachers’ Union and welfare offices to address the situation at the school.
This newspaper learned that during the meetings last week, it was also revealed that there have been violent confrontations between teachers and students.
Teachers said students issued serious threats to them but reports to the school’s administration were taken lightly. Recently, a group of students vandalised the home of a teacher who had verbally disciplined a student. “He faced up with the teacher telling him that he knows where he living and he was going to deal with he,” an official, who asked not to be named, explained.
Later the same day, the windows of the teacher’s home were shattered by students.
In another incident, a male teacher was forced to defend himself after he was attacked by students. Female teachers also reported being threatened by both male and female students after they reprimanded them.
There was also a report of an attack on a parent, who had been summoned to the school to address the behaviour of his son.
According to informed sources, the man was confronted by a gang in the school. Later, at home, the man and his wife were both forced out of their home by their son. The welfare department is currently handling the case.
Mingo said it was recognised that teachers must strictly impose the codes relating to discipline as articulated by the Ministry of Education in a very even and sustainable way.
Teachers also spoke of the need for parents to be more involved in the welfare of their children, and particularly those students who have been delinquent. It was suggested that a special parenting session be held with those parents to focus on the undesirable attitude and behaviour of their children and according to Mingo “more importantly, informing those parents and the students what would be the consequences of their behaviour.”
Meanwhile, at the meeting for parents it was noted that is was a small group of students who were violating the school’s code of conduct. It was suggested that there is need for a police patrol at the school and checks on students for dangerous weapons before they are allowed to enter the school compound. However, students noted that pencils, compasses and agriculture and technical drawing tools were also being used as weapons in violent incidents at the school.
For their part, students complained, among other things, that teachers dressed inappropriately, engaged in inappropriate touching and were frequently absent.
Mingo said the role of the school board in supervising the administration of the institution was seen as a key factor in ensuring that the policies and code of conduct are adhered to in the strictest fashion.
He noted that parents, students, teachers and the school’s administration have committed to doing all in their powers to bring about a positive change in the school. Recognising the importance of reforming students identified as delinquent and those who would have suffered at their hands, the Education Committee, the Regional PTA Committee and other stakeholders will be advocating for a counsellor to be attached to the school.
Despite the need for the intervention of the regional authorities, both teachers and students felt that the disciplinary issues were not unique to the institution.
They also believed that they have been put in a bad light and were targeted by stakeholders. They also felt that the school’s positive achievements are never highlighted even though they are numerous, especially in the area of sports.
