Cadet Corps ‘solution’ to rising school indiscipline

As schools face escalating issues of student indiscipline and deviance, a long-standing institution is being proposed as a key part of the solution. 

The Barbados Cadet Corps, with a century-old tradition of fostering discipline and leadership, is being highlighted as a crucial resource in efforts to address the behavioural challenges currently plaguing the nation’s educational system.

Leading this call is Colonel Edward Brathwaite, former Cadet Corps commandant and current head of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps. Speaking at the Barbados Defence Force’s 45th Anniversary Lecture Series, Colonel Brathwaite advocated for the Cadet Corps’ deeper integration into the school system. 

In his lecture, titled 120 Not Out: The History of the Barbados Cadet Corps and its Contribution to National Youth Development, Colonel Brathwaite made an impassioned argument that the Corps is uniquely positioned to curb school deviance and guide students onto positive paths.

“When the Barbados Cadet Corps was started, it was because there were challenges in our schools with discipline,” Brathwaite explained, noting the Corps’ historic role in shaping youth behaviour. 

He recounted the organisation’s origins in 1904 as part of a national effort to instil structure and discipline in young Barbadians, particularly those who were often prioritising labour over education due to the island’s sugarcane economy.

“The Cadet Corps is where it all started – the whole idea of leadership,” he emphasised, stressing that discipline was a primary reason for the Corps’ formation. 

He reflected on how the institution provided a transformative alternative for young people, offering an escape from the hard labour of the sugarcane fields and instilling values that fostered responsible citizenship.

Colonel Brathwaite sees the Cadet Corps playing a pivotal role once again, particularly in today’s school environment, where indiscipline has become a growing concern. He proposed a strategic collaboration between the Corps, schools, and the Ministry of Education to create programmes specifically aimed at addressing the root causes of deviant behaviour. 

“We need to relook at the structure of the organisation,” he urged, calling for a fresh approach that leverages the Corps’ strengths in discipline and leadership training.

Colonel Brathwaite, who previously served as principal of Ellerslie Secondary School, recalled that the Corps had successfully addressed issues of poor attendance and indiscipline by providing a structured environment where students could learn the values of leadership and civic responsibility. He now envisions a similar approach, focusing on at-risk students who could benefit from the guidance and support offered by the Cadet Corps.

Highlighting the need for rigorous but supportive training programmes, he said: “The whole concept of civilian instructors . . . this is how we can expand that level of supervision and get the youngsters to be qualified at various levels.”

Beyond addressing school deviance, Colonel Brathwaite believes the Cadet Corps has a broader role to play in preparing students for life beyond the classroom. He advocated for the reintroduction of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programme within the Corps, which he views as essential in equipping cadets with practical skills that would benefit them in the workforce. “The CVQ must be started back. I think we’ve done a bit of a disservice to the organisation having stopped it.”

This dual focus – discipline and employability – positions the Barbados Cadet Corps as a comprehensive solution to some of the most pressing issues facing the island’s youth, according to the former commandant. He argued that by addressing the behavioural issues that lead to deviance and simultaneously providing students with the skills they need for professional success, the Corps can play a key role in creating a more stable and prosperous future for Barbados.

When questioned about the growing concerns around modern youth deviance and how the Cadet Corps could adapt to address these issues, Colonel Brathwaite insisted: “The Cadet Corps continues to be what I consider the leading cadet corps across the region.” 

But he acknowledged that for the Corps to remain effective, it must evolve. He called for a strategic rethinking of its structure and programmes to ensure they meet the needs of today’s youth, focusing not only on military-style discipline but also on broader educational opportunities that align with the demands of the modern economy. 

“Do you want to be a part of the organisation, or do you not want to be a part of the organisation?” Colonel Brathwaite asked, urging both the Corps and educational leaders to commit to the necessary changes.

In a nod to the institution’s legacy and future, Colonel Brathwaite echoed the resilient spirit of the Cadet Corps: “No retreat, no surrender,” borrowing a phrase popularised by Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The phrase, he suggested, captures the essence of the Corps – steadfast, resilient, and always moving forward. 

(RG)