.jpg)
GUYANA has made tremendous strides in the field of education both internally and externally. On the external front we are the leading territory with the top performers at the CSEC and CAPE examinations. In the former case there has been a rise nothing short of phenomenal all due to the visionary leadership in our education ministers, notable mention Mr. Shaik Baksh, in our dedicated teachers and staff and last but by no means least a disciplined student population. Now a major part of success as we know it comes from a disciplined mind and this is not something you are born with it is cultivated, in some cases that mind has to be conditioned like a handkerchief in a perfumed box. Perfume was not poured on the handkerchief but the mere fact that it was exposed or rightly said conditioned to the influence of the box then the desired result was achieved. Then it behooves me to conclude that Guyana’s successes must be attributed to discipline, something that is considered taboo in some quarters. That is why I was most disturbed by recent moves by parliament to discuss (something that is already law) “corporal punishment” in schools.
In music we call this majoring in minors because it is a subject that is a non-essential. Something that is tried and proven to be effective, something that has brought us to the elevated place where we are as a nation, has suddenly become draconian. In the first place why is it called punishment? It is a disciplinary measure that is effective and very useful in the delivery of education, used sparingly to bring the errant boy or girl back in line to disciplined existence. It boggles the mind that today the education minister sees it differently and has become the modern day Christopher Columbus of change. And may I ask change for what? If this is not a step backwards then prove me wrong. Flogging is a tool that is necessary when administered in the right way to those who would not and I repeat would not confirm to established norms. Therefore, a very swift reminder in the whip rightly used in copious measure will bring him/her back in line. The good book is very clear on this; see a boy acting like a fool or as we commonly say forming the fool then a good hiding will drive the foolishness far from him, it will not kill him. The so called modern thinkers outlaw this form of corrective measure attaching all sorts of theoretical fantasies which has never worked in the places where it was outlawed and will not work here either especially when you view this in a West Indian cultural backdrop. What they will succeed in doing is bringing down the established standards and usher in a culture of lawlessness.
What is bound to happen is that society will be burdened with a group of individuals who needs remedial treatment to the detriment of the collective whole. Because, mark you the errant is now equipped with the capacity to play the system and in so doing hold the majority to ransom. School as we know it would become a place where thousands of man hours would be wasted on directing money and energy in disciplinary matters when that energy could have been well spent on those who are there to learn.
I am a teacher in a foreign territory where nationalism is high and I at the beginning of every new school term would remind my students that this teacher will not waste valuable time after those who are not sure as to their purpose in school. I make no apologies for this. Those under my supervision must confirm to standards where learning and making something good out of your life is your primary goal and nothing else. If you want to be a bad egg then I am not prepared to give you any attention, in fact you are non existent where I am concerned. I am prepared to garner my energies towards the success of those who are willing to elevate themselves not to focus on fools. The education minister can do that sort of thing. I wish them luck. This is what is going to take place when the new law is instituted, well it’s already here. There would be quite a sizable group who would be ostracised from mainstream society not because teachers have failed them but for the fact that they were let down by a system which accommodated their foolishness. As a consequence they will become the ones we read of who would be “guests of the state” nothing in your hand and nothing in your head. If this is the road we want to travel then so be it.
What I would advise the minister is focus on things which would the delivery of education like getting the mathematics percentage passes from the dismal present level. Modern schools equipped with the necessary facilities for learning, proper staffing of schools, better pay and more benefits for teachers. These are the important things of life not removing that which poses no problem whatsoever. Focusing one’s energies in a proven method of correction is sure to have negative consequences in the future.
Staying on the topic of corporal punishment I shall fittingly end our discourse with this story. A Guyanese family and their son journeyed to the United States for “the better life.” He was enrolled in school as any normal child, however, as the teenage years rolled in he got caught up with the American culture of foolishness and was in the business of gang’s breaking and entering into peoples’ homes and the dreaded drug culture. Things got so bad that the family barely survived two drive-by shootings. That was the final straw something had to be done with this boy. The Guyanese parents who were brought up in a different culture, where a child, except if he is mentally or physically challenged, when in such a mode needs a good old Guyanese “cut a…” and that’s what they administered to him. The boy knowing “his rights” under American law called the cops who quickly moved in and arrested the parent. After paying a fine the family was not comfortable with either the fact that they cannot touch the boy nor can they live peaceably, always having to look over their shoulders due to this boy’s reckless living. They finally decided to take him back to Guyana to be reformed. When they landed at Timehri the father gently tapped him on the shoulder and said “hey buddy you in Guyana where we does cut a** try that thing you tried in the States.” Now, you would believe that the rebellious teen would now be subjected to all brutal forms of punishment to bring him in line. Well, that was not the case that teenager was never touched or given “corporal punishment” while in Guyana. The mere thought of what awaited him caused him to make a 180 degree turnaround. He is now back in the U.S., nearing completion of his degree in Economics. I rest my case.
In music we call this majoring in minors because it is a subject that is a non-essential. Something that is tried and proven to be effective, something that has brought us to the elevated place where we are as a nation, has suddenly become draconian. In the first place why is it called punishment? It is a disciplinary measure that is effective and very useful in the delivery of education, used sparingly to bring the errant boy or girl back in line to disciplined existence. It boggles the mind that today the education minister sees it differently and has become the modern day Christopher Columbus of change. And may I ask change for what? If this is not a step backwards then prove me wrong. Flogging is a tool that is necessary when administered in the right way to those who would not and I repeat would not confirm to established norms. Therefore, a very swift reminder in the whip rightly used in copious measure will bring him/her back in line. The good book is very clear on this; see a boy acting like a fool or as we commonly say forming the fool then a good hiding will drive the foolishness far from him, it will not kill him. The so called modern thinkers outlaw this form of corrective measure attaching all sorts of theoretical fantasies which has never worked in the places where it was outlawed and will not work here either especially when you view this in a West Indian cultural backdrop. What they will succeed in doing is bringing down the established standards and usher in a culture of lawlessness.
What is bound to happen is that society will be burdened with a group of individuals who needs remedial treatment to the detriment of the collective whole. Because, mark you the errant is now equipped with the capacity to play the system and in so doing hold the majority to ransom. School as we know it would become a place where thousands of man hours would be wasted on directing money and energy in disciplinary matters when that energy could have been well spent on those who are there to learn.
I am a teacher in a foreign territory where nationalism is high and I at the beginning of every new school term would remind my students that this teacher will not waste valuable time after those who are not sure as to their purpose in school. I make no apologies for this. Those under my supervision must confirm to standards where learning and making something good out of your life is your primary goal and nothing else. If you want to be a bad egg then I am not prepared to give you any attention, in fact you are non existent where I am concerned. I am prepared to garner my energies towards the success of those who are willing to elevate themselves not to focus on fools. The education minister can do that sort of thing. I wish them luck. This is what is going to take place when the new law is instituted, well it’s already here. There would be quite a sizable group who would be ostracised from mainstream society not because teachers have failed them but for the fact that they were let down by a system which accommodated their foolishness. As a consequence they will become the ones we read of who would be “guests of the state” nothing in your hand and nothing in your head. If this is the road we want to travel then so be it.
What I would advise the minister is focus on things which would the delivery of education like getting the mathematics percentage passes from the dismal present level. Modern schools equipped with the necessary facilities for learning, proper staffing of schools, better pay and more benefits for teachers. These are the important things of life not removing that which poses no problem whatsoever. Focusing one’s energies in a proven method of correction is sure to have negative consequences in the future.
Staying on the topic of corporal punishment I shall fittingly end our discourse with this story. A Guyanese family and their son journeyed to the United States for “the better life.” He was enrolled in school as any normal child, however, as the teenage years rolled in he got caught up with the American culture of foolishness and was in the business of gang’s breaking and entering into peoples’ homes and the dreaded drug culture. Things got so bad that the family barely survived two drive-by shootings. That was the final straw something had to be done with this boy. The Guyanese parents who were brought up in a different culture, where a child, except if he is mentally or physically challenged, when in such a mode needs a good old Guyanese “cut a…” and that’s what they administered to him. The boy knowing “his rights” under American law called the cops who quickly moved in and arrested the parent. After paying a fine the family was not comfortable with either the fact that they cannot touch the boy nor can they live peaceably, always having to look over their shoulders due to this boy’s reckless living. They finally decided to take him back to Guyana to be reformed. When they landed at Timehri the father gently tapped him on the shoulder and said “hey buddy you in Guyana where we does cut a** try that thing you tried in the States.” Now, you would believe that the rebellious teen would now be subjected to all brutal forms of punishment to bring him in line. Well, that was not the case that teenager was never touched or given “corporal punishment” while in Guyana. The mere thought of what awaited him caused him to make a 180 degree turnaround. He is now back in the U.S., nearing completion of his degree in Economics. I rest my case.
