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DEVIANCY IN SCHOOLS
Today in Guyana, violence, vulgarity, indiscipline and deviant behaviour have become prevalent in several schools throughout the country. And while some foolishly have attempted to politicise this issue, they should realise that the adults in society are in large measure responsible for much of the deviant and violent behaviour in our schools.
The reality is that deviancy and violence in schools are not new. But it is rather unfortunate how violence and deviant behaviour have easily found their way into our schools, with some students being bullied, beaten and even stabbed.
Recently, there was an increase of violence of all sorts in secondary schools. It is said that most of the violence and deviant behaviour seen in schools today are being transmitted from American television and from the social media. Most of our children are vulnerable and are known to be copycats.
Such behaviour is also obtained by youths in their homes and surrounding environment. It is true that the degree of violence in society and in schools today is exponentially greater than it was three, four or more decades ago. If statistics is to be believed, then society appears to be in an era of heightened violence by the young and the not so young.
There are many things to which one can attribute the level of violence and deviancy in our schools, but one must first understand that they are a reflection of the adults’ behaviour in the wider society.
The sexual promiscuity, drug abuse, truancy, bullying and violence occurring in our schools are being practised by adults in almost every corner of the country. Studies have shown that poverty, hopelessness and school drop-outs are some of the root causes of violence in society.
We live in a society, which is overwhelmed by violence of all sorts, including rape, armed robbery, murders and the abuse of women and children. We also live in a society where youths had the greatest respect for the police, parents, teachers and elders in the communities. Their voices were akin to the voice of the Almighty.
Today, the well-intentioned notions of rights and fairness embedded in society in the age of liberalism have given our children more latitude. They have served to embolden them to push the envelope as far as they possibly can.
In the past, the teaching of religious and civic studies and corporal punishment in schools have assisted in imbuing children with certain values in society such as being polite, respect for the rule of law and love for one another. Today, the teaching of religious and civic studies in schools has been placed on the backburner in some schools.
Corporal punishment has actually been abolished that to even hint at its relevance as an important tool of instilling discipline in children is met with disdain. This has resulted in a high level of deviancy and violence in schools, but only few cases are made public.
We the adults are to blame for our children’s unruly behaviour. We are hurting instead of helping our children, most of whom lack direction and respect. Who is to blame for a teenage boy who has left home exposing his undergarments to the public by lowering his pants?
Who is to blame for children who are involved in deviant behaviour in schools or in the sale or use of illegal drugs? Every parent who gives succor to their children despite knowing that they have done something wrong is responsible for their deviant behaviour.
As adults, we are not sending the right messages to our children and children are not stupid. They should be socialised so that they can respect societal norms and become decent and productive citizens.
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