Ministry eyes student violence; says still much to do conquer challenge

The Ministry of Education has not turned a blind eye to the videos circulating on social media showing school children fighting.

In fact, Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw told Barbados TODAY that the ministry was aware and concerned about the scenes captured on video and circulated via social media and has called for a total societal approach to arresting the problem.

Dr Archer-Bradshaw, said the ministry continues to roll out a series of programmes across the schools to tackle the vexing issue.

“The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has seen the videos circulating on social media. Yes, the kinds of fights that we are seeing are cause for concern. “No, we are not turning a blind eye at all. As Barbadians these behaviours are not behaviours that we want to see. They are not synonymous with being a Bajan and we recently celebrated Independence,” she said.

Dr Archer-Bradshaw said the ministry understands that it still has a lot to do in terms of implementing programmes to arrest the challenge.

At the same time, she said “It is a matter for the school, the home, the community, the Ministry of Education working together to ensure that our children are really what they are supposed to be. It takes a whole village to raise a child. I can tell you, on behalf of the Minister and the Ministry of Education, we will certainly do our part in terms of putting programmes in place and making sure that the principals have the support,” she said.

Dr Archer-Bradshaw explained that during education month 2022 the Ministry of Education hosted a programme to sensitise principals to a number of areas including social and emotional learning. Additionally, she said schools have social workers, guidance  counsellors and safety officers who work together to implement bullying prevention programmes.

“They call in parents and they have discussions with the children. Children are also referred if psychological problems are observed.

“That has been happening from the inception of this academic year. So we will continue to do that and we will continue to strengthen the relationships that we have with the parents and the community,” she said.

However, the Chief Education Officer said she believed students’ positive behaviours should also be highlighted.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Supreme Counselling, Shawn Clarke, suggests that the unacceptable videos are showing young, angry people who may be dealing with personal situations that they may deem unmanageable.

Since the start of the Michaelmas Term, the student-involved incidents of violence making rounds on social media have sparked outrage and conversations across the country.

Clarke stressed that too many young people are dimming their light and through the use of violence are trying to fit into a culture which is not theirs.

He suggested that there may be a need to introduce more anti violence programmes in schools.

“Obviously the authorities need to put their resources financially and otherwise where they matter at this time. Supreme Counselling has started our work and we are willing to continue with it. We are willing to partner with anybody that is willing to partner with us,” Clarke said.

Supreme Counselling currently has a Project Rescue programme in five secondary schools, and according to Clarke more schools have been calling for the project to be rolled out at their institutions.

“Unfortunately they have to wait at this time because even though we have the human resources, we don’t have the financial resources.”

Project Rescue is an anti violence, anti bullying programme which focuses on building self esteem, conflict resolution and anger management.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb