THE discipline of students in schools in recent years has been gaining increasing attention worldwide because in many societies it has become a troubling issue, triggering grave concerns among both educators and parents. There has been such a breakdown in discipline levels in some schools that violent incidents have sometimes led to serious injuries.
The reasons for this vary from society to society but there are some common denominators, such as unstable families, which contribute to the problem.
Richard Garner in an article:  ‘Breakdown in family life is affecting schools’, pointed out that Britain’s teachers are losing the battle to maintain discipline in schools because of a breakdown in family relationships, according to research by Cambridge University academics.
Their report, commissioned by the National Union of Teachers, urges ministers to hold a “wide-ranging” inquiry into the deterioration in pupil behaviour. Otherwise, it warns, “there is little likelihood of improving on the current national performance levels [in schools] in the next two years”.
Doug McAvoy, the union’s general secretary, said: “The growing unwillingness of parents to support schools is compounding problems of poor discipline. The breakdown in family life and in society’s values means teachers are often having to do their job in a disciplinary vacuum.”
Historically, the union in Great Britain has been reluctant to blame marital breakdown for poor behaviour – the position adopted by the right – for fear of stigmatising pupils.
The report, by John MacBeath and Maurice Galton, concludes: “The nuclear and extended family are becoming historical relics. Children are growing up in a new and challenging world – but it is teachers who ‘bear the brunt’.”
The survey of 230 teachers in 65 secondary schools also revealed that heads were having to appoint extra staff to deal with behaviour problems.
Behaviour and discipline in schools in Guyana have also affected many schools but fortunately discipline in most schools is still at a good level.
However, inevitably when there is a breakdown in discipline in the wider society, some of it will rub off on the school system and to tackle this problem in schools, the authorities need to simultaneously address it holistically.
Interestingly, the Schools Welfare Department has reported that the placement of Guidance and Counselling Officers at Lodge, Tutorial and St. Winefride’s secondary schools in the city, coupled with the support of the teachers and administrative staff, has led to significantly fewer incidents of violence at these schools.
Earlier in the year, the behaviour of students at these schools was a major concern and the situation on several occasions attracted the attention of the community, sections of the media and other concerned citizens.
Punctuality was also an issue, as a number of students were habitually late for classes daily.
“This situation has changed drastically; and to date, the behaviour of students has improved and students are now attending school on time.
“There is a marked decrease in fights, gambling and students being out of their classrooms during the teaching sessions. Other behavioural problems such as students being disrespectful to their teachers and fellow students, not being properly attired in their uniforms, and leaving the classrooms and school compound without their teachers’ permission have declined dramatically,” the Schools’ Welfare body observed.
This is good news and it also demonstrates that with the right approach and methodology, all problems could be solved or drastically reduced.
What the Education Ministry should work towards now is the implementation of Guidance and Couselling in all schools and make it a permanent feature of the school system as this will go a long way in helping to curb indiscipline as has been seen with the two formerly troubled schools.