Tip I

In addition to the efforts being made by the Ministry of Education to address youth violence and the myriad problems faced by our young people, principals and staff at individual schools should look into the possibility of establishing youth programs at their schools to specifically address their young people. External resource personnel, motivational lectures, and character building films which would indeed provide an alternative to the negative films to which they are exposed could be employed. It must be however a well thought out and structured approach.

Tip 2

Emphasis should be placed upon the orientation of those now entering the secondary school system, bearing in mind that the transition from primary to secondary school for many presents insecurity and uncertainty. Our Form I or first entry students are, in this regard, a special group. Consequently, teachers assigned to this group should be specially selected. These should be teachers with the aptitude, passion and temperament necessary for grooming the mind for society. Special training and/or special allowances may be necessary for such teachers.

Tips 3

Staff should see themselves as being in a position to influence positive change that will eventually redound to the benefit of the school and the nation as a whole. The negativity of our young people should pose us with a challenge rather than be seen as a deterrent to interaction. Because of the nature of our education system, we can safely say that most, the vast majority of our children are exposed to our nations school and by extension its teachers. Teachers are therefore a special group as it relates to their influence.

Tip 4

The position cannot be taken that we are just about the business of doing only that for which we are paid, for we may well find ourselves not being able to enjoy the fruits of our labour except we succeed in changing the direction of our young people. Working with them should therefore be seen as an investment in our own well being.

Sections of the community have sought in the past to isolate themselves by special security and gated communities, etc. Alas, it is now quite clear that these approaches do not protect them from criminal elements. The issues must be directly addressed.

While therefore we recognize the failure as belonging to parents, teachers should review their own roles in influencing change.