#BTEditorial – Why are our youngsters so angry?

One of the most disturbing videos since the reopening of schools across the Caribbean made rounds earlier this week. Viewers witnessed a male student at the Tivoli Gardens High School in Jamaica going at it with a female teacher. They fought like adults. What happened before, we don’t know. But what we are thankful for is the fact that some right-thinking students stepped in and parted an altercation that could have ended very tragically.

In the video, the student is seen pushing the teacher in front of the chalkboard. The teacher goes and takes up a desk which is taken from her and thrown aside by the student. The male student appeared to have no issues assaulting the mature female teacher. The 16-year-old student was subsequently charged with assaulting the 56-year-old teacher, occasioning bodily harm.

The Jamaica Observer newspaper reported that according to the police investigations, the teacher was conducting her class when the student entered and began behaving boisterously. The report said the teacher asked him to leave but he refused. This led to a physical confrontation causing bruises and swelling to the teacher’s face, upper body, and breasts.

Commanding officer for the Kingston Western division, Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, said the police have several concerns at Tivoli Gardens High and are trying to schedule a meeting with the principal et al, but it has not yet materialised.

“We are having issues at various schools (in the Division) and have met with most principals and are working together to iron out the issues,” the officertold the  Jamaica Observer.

On that same day in Trinidad, a secondary schoolgirl was stabbed and slashed with a knife during a fight with another schoolgirl. The 15-year-old student received injuries to her face, chest and arm. The other female student with whom she was involved in the altercation was also 15. Other female students joined their friend in the fight, outnumbering the other girl.

During the scuffle, the girl who was overwhelmed by the others pulled out a knife and stabbed her main attacker some three times before she was pulled away by a male student.

According to the Trinidad Guardian, a social media video, recorded by another student, showed blood dripping from a wound on the right side of the girl’s face after the knife attack. One day after being expelled, a teenager was formally slapped with two charges. She is to answer for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a weapon. 

Meanwhile, in Tobago, a 17-year-old Pentecostal Light And Life Foundation High School student allegedly threatened to shoot up the school last week.

A passer-by said that they heard the threat after the student was put out of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Maths examination for disruptive and disrespectful behaviour.

Acting Senior Supt (Tobago) Junior Benjamin said they also intend to meet the school principal and the passer-by in the coming days. He said such threats will not be taken lightly and will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

These awful incidents in the Caribbean came just a week after 18-year-old Salvador Ramos shot and killed 19 students and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas.

We have had our fair share of those unwarranted acts here in Barbados as well, although nothing so horrendous. We have had instances where teachers were hurt by students on the job. We have had times when student-on-student fights have turned bloody, even deadly.

It was in November 2019 that two students, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, were involved in a fight that led to the tragic stabbing incident. The victim, the 16-year-old, died on the spot.  It caused the country to pause. But no real action was taken to address the core issue.

And, so we wait, but not welcome, another such incident if this seemingly deep-seated anger planted within is not weeded out.

No amount of talking or pontificating will fix this. We have to tackle this issue head-on.

While debates continue about the power and influence of video games, TV and social media; while call-in programme regulars argue whether or not a junior should sing bashment soca; while we blame the minibus culture; while we point fingers at parents and teachers; while we lament the role of the church; while we continue to look for scapegoats, the reality is that many of our young people are seemingly angry. They appear angry with themselves, angry with society, and angry with life itself.  We must respond to this cry for help?