Dear Editor,
I am concerned about the recent upsurge of violence being committed by students on students within the confines of our city’s schools. This ugly phenomenon, if not nipped in the bud will eventually become a cancer in our education system, and the time to arrest it is now.

Over the past month there have been at least three incidents where the use of weapons was evident. I recall that it was only last week there was an incident reported about a deadly weapon being found in the schoolbag of a teenager at a school. I have also read in our newspapers that there is a certain school in Georgetown where the teachers are afraid for their lives because of the threats they receive from students (both present and past).These students congregate in the school’s compound. I have also read in the newspapers that at one particular school the teachers have boxes of weapons which were seized from students. There is also a surge in gangs in some schools.

I have not to date seen or heard of any special programme by school authorities to arrest this situation which will eventually affect our society. I can recall during my time at school, parents took their time to ensure that the level of discipline of their children was of a relatively high standard. Sad to say, this hardly happens in our society today. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children are good products for our society. Neglecting such guidance has created the problems we  have now. There is an urgent need for parents to be more involved in their young children’s lives.

They should attend the Parent Teachers’ meetings and make regular visits to their children’s schools.

The guardians of our city’s schools stand indicted for not taking a more pro-active stance as it relates to the well-being of teachers and students.

To address the issue in a manner as if it is not a huge one is to court disaster. There is an immediate need for draconian steps to be taken, otherwise there could be a tragedy in one of our schools.

Yours faithfully,
Orin Major