As a spike in violence spread to the nation’s schools, two counsellors called for radical intervention, including army patrols of schools and soldiers’ mentorship of students.
Shawn Clarke, chief executive officer of Supreme Counselling for Personal Development (SCPD), and Roger Husbands, chairman of Drug Education and Counselling Services (DECS), urged immediate and systemic changes to address the issue.
Recent incidents ranging from stabbings to conflicts driven by gang influence have alarmed communities and raised concerns about children’s safety.
Clarke warned that the current wave of school violence has escalated beyond the norm.
“To say it is nothing new almost sounds to me like you have accepted what is happening and that you’re saying this is the norm,” he told Barbados TODAY. He cautioned that the situation has “escalated into something even more” and could fester for years if not tackled swiftly.
Husbands echoed Clarke’s concerns, attributing the violence in schools to deeper societal tensions.
“There is war in our school system and our communities,” he said, pointing to the infiltration of gang culture and territorial disputes into the school environment.
One particularly troubling development is the increasing number of students carrying weapons to school. Clarke recounted an intervention at a secondary school where a majority of the second-form students admitted to bringing weapons for protection.
“I asked the question, ‘How many of you bring to school a weapon?’ And the majority of the hands in that classroom went in the air,” he revealed. When asked why, the students responded: “Sir, just in case.” Clarke said this mindset reflects a growing perception among young people that they need to defend themselves at all times.
Husbands also noted that students carry weapons out of fear for their safety.
“They carry these weapons so that they can protect themselves within the school system,” he explained, adding that even those who are not gang-affiliated feel compelled to arm themselves because “anytime somebody could interfere with them, or anytime somebody could threaten them”.
The crisis, according to both experts, is exacerbated by a lack of trust between students and school authorities. Clarke described the frustration felt by students who see little response from school staff when they report being bullied or threatened.
Roger Husbands, chairman of Drug Education and Counselling Services (DECS). (FP)
“I go in and I’m complaining to my teachers; I’m not getting any satisfaction,” he said, recounting the experiences of students. Husbands agreed, saying students hesitate to speak out for fear of being labelled “snitches” and facing retaliation.
The growing influence of gang culture in schools is also a major concern. Clarke noted that gang-related conflicts are spilling over into school grounds, leading some students to arm themselves not just for protection, but because they are caught up in rivalries between different groups.
“It is as though gang culture that exists on the outside has permeated the school culture,” he said.
Husbands said the issue has become “hot” among young people who harbour animosity towards each other and are eager to fight.
“We need to fix these problems before it is too late,” the DECS head urged.
Clarke believes that part of the solution lies in equipping students with better life skills: “We need to get these programmes in the schools in a meaningful way… teaching our young people anger management, conflict resolution, and alternatives to problem behaviours.”
Stressing that short-term measures will not be effective, he added: “I also know that a six-week or a four-week or eight-week kind of management programme is not effective. I know that it has to be long-term.”
Clarke therefore advocated for a five-year approach, starting from the first year of secondary school.
Husbands called for more immediate security measures, such as deploying Barbados Defence Force soldiers to patrol school premises. He suggested that army personnel could also serve as mentors and positive role models for students.
“They can come to be friends, to be mentors, to be support systems for children,” he said.
The anxiety and fear felt by students are palpable, with some opting to stay away from school altogether, Husbands noted.
“I have young people telling me they are scared to go to school,” he revealed, warning that these fears could lead to long-term disruptions in students’ education.
Clarke added that students are not only fearful of what happens in school but also of what might occur on their way home. He underscored the importance of community involvement in tackling these issues, noting that “the reality is that the persons who work in NGOs are on the ground. We feel the pulse of the people.”
Both Clarke and Husbands believe that collaboration between the government, schools, and community organisations is essential to curbing the rising violence.
“There needs to be a serious government and third sector relationship,” Clarke said, highlighting the vital role of non-governmental organisations in reaching vulnerable youth.
“It is time that we get to work,” he urged, while Husbands reiterated the need for prompt action: “We need to fix these problems before it is too late.” (RG)
