Baksh says media sensationalising reports on school violence

Mar 07, 2010 News

– but five students expelled from one school for assaulting teachers

Education Minister, Shaik Baksh, has accused the media of sensationalising reports on violence in schools.
He says that his Ministry will soon host a public forum to address the problem.
But he revealed that five students from one school were expelled for assaulting teachers.
A press release from the Education Ministry said that Baksh made the remarks last Friday while addressing heads, deputies, and senior teachers of Region Six at the Tain, University of Guyana (UG) Berbice Campus.
According to the release, the Education Minister said that contrary to reports, the issue that the problem is widespread in the school system remains a perception.
The planned one-day open forum, he said, will include teachers, students, parents, social scientists and other stakeholders in society and the causal factors and solutions to the problem will be examined.
Baksh said that data on assault, gangs, and immorality and other related incidents in schools have already been collected from all the regions.
He said that the discussion will give his Ministry a clearer sense of direction on how to proceed in addressing the matter.
The Minister observed that the current situation is not peculiar to Guyana, noting that based on online reports, the problem seems to be prevalent in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
He reported that several international organisations have conducted research on the problem and their recommendations continue to be part of the Ministry’s intervention to tackle the problem.
Baksh recently informed the National Assembly that his Ministry is considering beefing-up security at more secondary schools in Georgetown in light of increasing reports of violence in schools.
He told the gathering that Guidance Counselors have been placed in six schools where the problem has been reported the most and the Chief Schools Welfare officer has been closely monitoring the schools.
The Principal Education Officer, the Minister said, has initiated a search on students but noted that this move has been met with opposition from some parents.
He disclosed that under new education legislation, provision has been made for the establishment of a Student Council to allow them to have a voice on these and other matters affecting the school system.
The release added that the Ministry is also looking to set-up a National Mentoring Programme in schools to keep students focused and motivated and according to Baksh, the Health and Family Life Education programme will be introduced to more schools.
In addition, he said that the Ministry has been working to resuscitate and strengthen Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) in schools.
He emphasised that parents have an important role to play in imparting values of discipline and proper conduct to their children.
One head teacher told the forum that the time has come for students who hit their teachers to be made examples of and called on the Ministry to take swift and stern action in this regard.
The teacher suggested that these students be removed from the school system and be placed at special centres where they can receive proper guidance and counseling.
Baksh said that his Ministry is firmly against students assaulting teachers and pointed out that five students were expelled from the Tutorial High School for this reason.
He said, too, that any parent who assaults or threatens a teacher should be reported to the police.
Recent reports have indicated that there has been an upsurge in violence in schools.
Two students were recently charged for stabbing their colleagues.

Latest News

Baksh says media sensationalising reports on school violence

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 21st, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Mainstay Goldstar FC secures promotion to Elite League Season 7

Matthews’ all-round brilliance powers Windies...

Slingerz FC wants Shabazz

Stepton Barton, ‘Superman’ Lewis,...

Powerlifting Federation commends Government for...

Statistician Charwayne Walker expresses...

Features/Columnists

How do you analyse a Budget?

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

PPP Govt giving itself rich budget treats

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Baksh says media sensationalising reports on school violence

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 21st, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]