By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE government is being called upon to state what is the plan for the reduction of school violence as well as the plan for youth development.
The call comes from Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles.
She said it would seem as though the government had no consideration for school children when Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that perpetrators in school violence would be expelled from school and those cheering in on the violence would also be disciplined.
Speaking during a press conference at the Opposition Leader’s office on Monday, Beckles echoed statements made by former education minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly that expulsion for violence in schools was not new.
She said it seemed as though Persad-Bissessar was not aware of policy guidelines pertaining to dealing with school violence when she made her post-Cabinet media briefing remarks last week.
Beckles said school violence was labelled as a crisis about 40 years ago.
“It is clear that violent students must either be rehabilitated or removed from the school system. In terms of rehabilitation, we know that between the period 2022 and 2025, positive trends in school violence reduction were observed through measures put in place,” she said.
The multi-prong approach was a work in progress and focused on schools with the highest levels of violence and pupils would have faced expulsion in the past, Beckles said.
Referring to what was the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, she said that ministry also had role to play and rebuilding of youth camps were at an advanced stage.
Beckles said, “Notwithstanding the seriousness of this matter, we are of the view that with no mention of the UNC’s plans for youth, no empathy, no deep consideration, the honourable Prime Minister has recommended expulsion and jail.”
“What is your plan for reducing school violence? What is your plan for youth development?” she asked.
The opposition leader said Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath and Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts must give answers to those questions.
On Monday, Dr Gadsby-Dolly posted on Facebook, a reminder of the initiatives when she was education minister.
She posted, “I know what the Government I was a part of did from 2022-2025.”
They were:
• Identify schools with most violence
• Assign dedicated SSW (school social workers) and GC (guidance counsellors)
• Assign Community Police
• Volunteer Mentorship Programme
• Expand Scouts and Girl Guides
• Assign Restorative Practice Facilitators
• Introduce MOE-led Peer Counselling
• Increase student exposure to post-secondary vocational training options at various tertiary-level institutions
• Emphasis on Cultural Transformation- broadening the school curriculum to include more engaging activities to reduce dropouts
• Expulsion Warnings
• Expelled students referred to MILAT and SERVOL
Youth Development plans that were in progress:
• Rebuild Youth Camps
• Expand MILAT and MYPART
• Offer free youth programmes
Based on those initiatives, Dr Gadsby-Dolly stated the results were in 2023-2024 academic year there were 1,116 fights and assaults in term one, 786 in term two and 713 in term three.
Additionally, she said there were over 50 per cent reduction in suspensions at some of the 11 schools where the Restorative Practices initiative was being implemented.
