The Editor, Sir:

As we try to find solutions for the spiralling deviant/criminal behaviours in our schools and, by extension, our island, I would like to forward some food for thought and put forward some solutions that I think will help us to address some of the problems. Children are experiencing pain and challenges; these emotional situations bring with them strong desire to find relief or to even minimise the pain being experienced, whatever the cost. Children seek answers and relief which can explain their feeling which are expressed through many forms.

Difficulty understanding

Parents, on the other hand, have (over the years) difficulty understanding children - these same children grow into parents and have children of their own and the cycle continues without finding answers and the conclusion is that this is what 'life' is all about. So the cycle of hurting people (both parent and children) continues with no one able to effectively express his or her feelings. So, we end up with sleepless nights, anger, fear, depression, hypertension, mood disorders and personality impairment, among other psycho-social ills. For some children, this is what gives rise to violence in schools.

Violence in the home and school is said to be systemic and there is a growing trend in the flow of violence starting with children socialised to act violently, and then bringing this to school and it flows from school into the community and wider society as unresolved issues.

In an effort to arrive at meaningful solutions to these challenges, children seek answers everywhere except in themselves, neglecting the true saying that "in order to be better, we have to go back to the place where we first got bitter" and try to solve the problem there - the answer lies in those "feelings buried alive which never died". When negative feelings remain alive in 'physical energy' fields (the body), they (feelings/energies) constantly affect us because these buried feelings have personality and will manifest themselves sooner or later.

The feelings/experiences children have don't just leave if they are not resolved, but remain the source of unresolved conflict. Children exhibit signs of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, etc), gang-like behaviour and antisocial and violent behaviour which have not only affected students, but teachers and are ultimately manifested in fighting, infliction of bodily harm with or without the use of weapons, mischief and provocation, abusive language and disrespect.

Drug abusers

Studies have also shown that a large number of students are substance abusers with the predominant drug of choice being marijuana. This combination of substance use and mental/psychological factors produce children who have dual diagnosis who are unable to learn or cope, resulting in their inability to learn and end up leaving school when all that is needed is treatment to address their uncontrollable feelings. Some of the social causes of violence among students include their perception of being disrespected both by peers, and teachers, revenge for acts done against them or their friends, provocation by students, mismanagement of emotion, bullying; absence of parents/or parental care, absence of positive role models or positive peer influences as well as absence of a caring community.

These behaviours are coupled with teachers' tardiness and absenteeism, perceived apathy and lack of commitment of classroom methodology that does not address the needs and interest student (boys in particular) and unpleasant, unattractive, unstimulating and unhealthy physical school environment.

A fundamental solution is divine intervention which entails unearthing the feelings that have been buried alive and cannot die because they are not resolved. Churches should be encouraged to align themselves to a school and give the spiritual support needed.

In addition, high-school students and university students should be mobilised in volunteering in after-school/homework centres, especially for those children who are academically challenged. The ministry should provide the necessary/basic financial support to ensure viability.

Counsellors with a passion

Caring professional social workers along with school counsellors with a passion for this kind of work is what is needed and which is sadly lacking in the schools and, by extension, homes and communities. The Ministry of Education needs to assign social workers/counsellors to every school whose responsibility would be to enter the lives of these children through both group and individual therapy sessions. This should also involve making home visits where necessary and connecting families to state resources to help with the socio-economic problems faced (where applicable).

Efforts should be made to also engage and involve the community through parenting seminars and workshops.

I am, etc.,

MAVIS M. FERGUSON, MSW(2)

nosugref2003@yahoo.com

Forensic Social Worker