The issue of violence in schools is becoming a growing concern in many countries and if it is not drastically dealt with it could grow out of proportion and have serious adverse long term consequences on society. In many instances it has already done so and in others it is doing so. However, violence in schools cannot be viewed in isolation because the school is only a part of the larger society (a microcosm of the macrocosm) and therefore the behavourial changes and patterns in schools are dialectically connected to those that are taking place in the wider society. A child is a product of not only his genetics but also a product of the environment in which he/she is exposed to. And if we look at the issue globally increasing violence is prevalent in most parts of the world.
It is unthinkable that in a so-called civilised and modern world which has adopted democratic principles as the preferred modus operandi some countries still resort to violence to settle disputes and impose their will on other countries. What is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan etc is a typical example of this unnecessary use of violence from a global perspective.
At the societal level adults increasingly use violence to settle differences and there is a sharp increase in domestic violence in many societies, many children are subjected to violence by their parents, police use violence against suspected criminals and of course terrorism is one of the global headaches currently. Children are bombarded with glorified violence on the television screens and through video games. And unbelievably through music, which was once regarded as one of the best means of relaxation and entertainment, violence is being advocated and propagated.
So the child is bombarded with violence audio-visually and physically, therefore it is only logical that he/she will view violent behaviour as a preference. And further it is only obvious that this will rub off in schools. In short, violence breeds violence.
The permanent and lasting solution to violence in schools, therefore, lies in the success in rolling back violent behaviour in the wider society. That is not to say that short term measures curb violence in schools. Certainly immediate measures must be introduced so that the problem does not escalate.
On this score Education Minister Shaik Baksh correctly noted that while incidents of violence in schools are not widespread his Ministry views every such act as a matter of serious concern. This should be the approach to problems when they arise. We must nip them in the bud and do not allow them to grow into monsters.
A study of school violence in the US entitled: School Violence Is Not Going Away So Proactive Steps Are needed by Kylee Crews, Arizona State University; Jack Crews, University of Phoenix; and Freda Turner, Grand Canyon University concluded: “School violence is not just a school problem but a larger societal issue that requires efforts of students, parents, faculty, community. Everyone is affected from those of fixed income to those that are managing large businesses to governmental infrastructures in every community. Although many would like to isolate the problem to public schools because of the ease of the target, we must all shoulder the responsibility of minimising the dilemma that affects the future of our country.”
The conclusion of that study in the US is certainly relevant to our society as well because in recent years there have been alarming instances of violence especially those pertaining to domestic situations.
In this larger effort to curb violence we need to expose our children and adults as well to the teachings of the great advocates of non-violence and peaceful reconciliation such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King (Junior), Leo Tolstoy, Bertrand Russell, Rabindranauth Tagore Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela etc.
It would be interesting to know how many of our children and youths are even aware of these names or what made them so great.
Today’s society could do well with large and regular doses of tonics of non-violence to counter the excessive and extremely frequent doses of violence it is receiving.