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The problem of school gangs has resurfaced

Feb 26, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor, The problem of school gangs has resurfaced, when Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, at a meeting with parents held at the Leonora Secondary School, announced plans to effect sudden raids at the nation’s schools in an effort to curb the threat of gang violence.  Gangs in the nation’s schools began to raise their ugly heads sometime at the beginning of the current millennium. Reference can be made to a specific incidence of this frightening culture, when two gangs at a well known Cummingsburg school, locked horns in a very violent confrontation that occasioned the presence of security personnel. Since then there have been many reports in the media, of gangs existing in some schools. I have always expressed the view that school gangs are a smaller replication of the much larger, violent associations that operate in society; and though a microcosm, do exhibit similar violent tendencies.  What has never been assessed is how pervasive is this extreme within the general local school constellation. This view is proffered with due respect to the Ministry’s conclusion, publicly given, that the problem of school gangs is not widespread. This view appears to be supported by Mr. Shaik Baksh’s personal assessment that the “the situation in Guyana is not as severe as that in other countries.” The appreciable fact in this very serious instance is that parents of students from this Region Three school are definitely concerned and were involved in the interaction with the subject minister. And based on the many pertinent issues that they raised, the Ministry can be assured of their cooperation where un-school like conduct is concerned.    It is hoped that parents of students who are known to be involved in similar non-scholastic activities, at whatever school, begin to address this threat very seriously. They must understand that as parents – since an  examination of the pictorial of the Leonora meeting reveals the all too familiar traditional absence of the male parent – of the parental equation is compulsory in the guidance of their child/children. It is laudable that the Ministry of Education is adopting this very aggressive course in response to this grave threat. It is their prerogative to deal condignly with students who are bent on wanton behaviour. No quarter must be asked and none must be given. For not only are school gangs a threat to the general discipline and order of the school environment, but also an intimidating influence and severe hindrance to scholastic activities and a threat to the very participants.  Dean Clement

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