HEAD of State, Donald Ramotar on May 1 met with a number of teachers at the Guyana Teachers’ Union Headquarters during his round of Labour Day activities, where he was greeted enthusiastically by the teachers who took the opportunity to wish him well, and ask him to resolve some of their issues. Among those raised during the president’s quick stop were methods which were being touted to deal with the growing levels of indiscipline in the nation’s schools, and the growing debate about corporal punishment.
The teachers, in referring to the recent incident at a Linden School which left a teacher hospitalised with a cracked skull and several students suspended, expressed the need for stiffer penalties to be applied to students, particularly those who attack staffers. A few even urged those students who attacked teachers be jailed and their parents fined or otherwise penalised, as is done in other countries.
Some with decades of experience added that unless proper alternatives are found for corporal punishment, then it must remain in the school system.
After listening to their concerns, President Ramotar said that government will do its utmost to see a return of discipline and order to the nation’s schools. “We have to raise the penalty, we haven’t decided as yet, but we are considering many things, mandatory jail, raising the fines etc. People should not be hitting teachers.”
He also urged teachers to do their part and always give of their best when on duty. (GINA)