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Put trained social workers in schools

Nov 13, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have been an advocate for trained social workers in schools for years. One who knows to work with both theory and practice. I  hope this can be implemented as soon as possible hence Social Workers will work with students, their families and environment through interventions and referrals not just to curb violent students but to foster better relationships with parents and teachers, address other social and academic issues which may be affecting  students. I am quite perturbed to learn that the (GTU) Guyana Teachers Union does not support the abolishment of corporal punishment in schools. I quote the union;   “ We are not supportive of corporal  punishment being taken out of schools as the Ministry is yet to put  alternative measures to deal with aggressive students.” Is Corporal punishment only administered to aggressive students? Does administering corporal punishment to a slow learner or a deviant student solve the issue?
In the area I live there are about three secondary and two primary schools where I had the opportunity to teach at both levels.  At the primary it was found that students were flogged for incomplete assignments and homework, late for school, incorrect mathematical problems, gang violence etc. Upon investigation, many students were from single parents homes. They experience violence at home/environment; one parent is in prison; young parents without proper parenting skills and education; economically depressed homes. We live in a 21stcentury of an interconnected world where there are breakthroughs in health, technology and education hence we need to focus on the real causes and sensible solutions to these issues.
In Guyana we need to develop mutual respect between students and educators. Educators should conduct themselves with respect and in a manner students can view them as role models. Our method of teaching views the student as an empty vessel (banking model) we need to instead adapt  a more holistic approach such as the (problem posing method) by Paulo Friere where the child is taught not what to think but instead how to think critically.
June Ann Payne 

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