kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
While the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) gives the Ministry of Education the nod for its proposed demerit point system for dealing with school indiscipline, the T&T Unified Teachers Association says it is a reactive approach.
TTUTA president Antonia De Freitas told Guardian Media on Monday that demerit points come after a student consistently displays inappropriate behaviour.
De Freitas said TTUTA’s opinion is that instead of trying to put a plaster on a sore after a cut, early interventions are needed. She suggested the ministry properly staff and equip its Student Support Services Division to visit schools and assess students’ behaviours so it can advise teachers and parents.
“Too often, we look at violence and indiscipline in schools as simply a school-based issue and not as part of a larger societal issue requiring all stakeholders in the society to be part of the solution. Giving the demerit points may not necessarily do anything to stem the tide of inappropriate behaviours of some students,” De Freitas said.
Chief Education Officer Dr Peter Smith announced the ministry’s proposed merit/demerit point system during a media conference last Friday.
Smith said incidents of violence afflicted about five per cent of the country’s 820 schools. He admitted that the incidents they saw broadcast over traditional and social media were concerning.
But De Freitas questioned, “What happens after the demerit points? Is there further action to be taken against the student? Is there another programme the student would move to?”
TTUTA and the NPTA are among several stakeholders asked to review the ministry’s Revised Disciplinary Matrix and provide feedback by June 14. De Freitas said TTUTA wants to engage the ministry to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, NPTA president Kevin David said they agree with the demerit points approach. He said it shows the ministry was concerned about deviant behaviours displayed in schools.