The Alliance For Change (AFC), in a recent statement, stated the party has taken note of the increase in violence in schools. Over the past few months there have been reports where either teachers or students have been victims of violence either in the school or close school environs.
Even Mr. Mark Lyte, President of the Guyana Teachers Union, has admitted that several teachers were attacked this year and the nation is only at the end of the first quarter of the year. Some incidents have made it into the public domain but many others where students are assaulted go unreported.
The party noted “these attacks on teachers whether by students, school leavers or adults is indicative of the decay eating away at our society where the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ continues to widen.”
Stating the situation is complex, the AFC drew attention that –
“1. There now exists a situation where those close to the seat of power believe and operate as though they are beyond reproach, where they derive power by association and can do whatever they want to whomever they want.
“2. There are those who believe that they can buy, bribe, or pay their way out of any situation.
“3. Then there are the ‘have-nots’ who are barely able to survive from one day to the next and watch in frustration and growing resentment as the wealth of the other group multiplies and they can’t pay their bills and it’s a struggle to put food on the table. Children see and share in the suffering of their parents and become angry when they see their parents working hard yet not able to make ends meet and are likely to act out that anger in acts of violence.”
The party warned that a society where teachers are physically and verbally assaulted by students and their families cannot, just cannot develop.
Questing the direction of the nation when a judge is accused of abusing a teacher in her school, a pupil can get his relatives to give his teacher a trashing, youth gangs can run in a school leaving a young teacher all bloodied in their wake, a teacher feels compelled to defend herself with a cutlass, the AFC said the party supports calls for a more accountable and security awareness environment.
The AFC expressed support for increased security at schools and for perpetrators to face the full extent of the law but considered these as band-aid remedies to a festering sore. When the potential victim leaves the safety of the school yard the threat still exists and what happens then, the party asked.
“In addition to increased security at schools, there is also the need for student councillors in each school who can identify potential problems and work with students, especially troubled teens, to make responsible choices and where needed, work with the parents or guardians of these students.
“But, in addition to such measures, we must develop a society where each citizen believes they can get a fair share of this fast-growing economic pie. The divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ must be bridged.”
Pointing out that in the present environment where citizens not aligned to the government perceive that they are being discriminated against and fear victimisation if they speak out cannot continue, the party warned anger and resentment are growing and the violence in schools that we are witnessing is but a symptom of where such a practice will lead us.
