By Vanessa Cort
ANOTHER mass school shooting in the United States recently and, closer to home, another disgraceful confrontation between a parent, child and teacher, have made the issue of safety in schools one of grave concern.

In a television interview, the teacher, who allegedly armed herself with a cutlass, said she was attacked and referred to attacks on teachers as “the new COVID.”

She echoed the sentiment of many when she called for a better relationship between teachers, parents and students.
And attacks on teachers is not a new occurrence.

Two years ago, President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Mark Lyte, denounced this behaviour, referring to two recent incidents.

“There is a crisis with security both in an out of school. Parents are now walking off the streets and into the classroom (or) office to physically assault and wound teachers,” he said.

Clearly this problem still exists and is, in fact, getting worse, as teachers, backed by the GTU, felt compelled to stage a protest demanding “justice” after the latest incident.

The GTU, calling on the Education Ministry to address the matter of violence in schools, has said that “at least 12 teachers have been assaulted so far this year”, according to the Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

One of the most alarming attacks took place at Fort Wellington, where a Secondary School teacher was “viciously beaten” by a student and a male relative. This prompted Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, to declare in a Facebook post, “Upon learning of the details I offered my and my Ministry’s full support. There can be no reason offered that would be accepted as to why students or their relatives would beat a teacher…”

Indeed, there can be no excuse for such behavior and I certainly endorse the GTU President’s call for both the Education Ministry and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to step up and “send a clear message to students and guardians that their violent behaviour will not be tolerated” – a message backed up by firm action.

Indeed, it is incumbent on the ministry and school authorities to ensure that school is a safe place for students and teachers alike and measures must be put in place to make this happen.

An Australian government website states, “A safe school is one in which all students feel supported, where anti-social behavior is minimised and staff, students, parents and community agencies work together.”

Study.com takes a close look at what causes school violence observing that, in order to promote safe schools, educators must first understand the cause. In outlining some of the factors that play a part in violence perpetrated by students the group points to, “…a lack of school disciplinary procedures” and students who have “lower school interest and performance.”

The US Departments of Education and Justice have also identified “imminent warning signs” in students displaying troubled behaviour such as serious physical fighting with peers, serious destruction of property and threats of lethal violence.

The point is well made that schools should declare “zero tolerance” towards acts of violence and should take a proactive approach, involving law enforcement where necessary.

EKU Online, while noting that “A teacher’s main purpose is to teach the nation’s children,” goes on to say, “It can also be argued that parenting, whether bad parenting or not enough proper parenting, can be partly to blame for many incidents of school violence.”

As the National PTA in the US declares, “All students and educators have a right to attend schools that are safe and conducive to learning and achievement.”

The group advocates several measures for improving the school environment such as school counselling services, the implementation of clear disciplinary policies and in particular the promotion of, “…a positive school climate that encourages nurturing relationships, and mutual trust and respect among students, staff and families.”

And in a message to all schools, the National PTA asserts, “Effective, fair and consistently implemented discipline practices promote student learning, address the cause of students’ misbehavior and improve positive behavior skills and overall student and school success.”