00:00Violence in schools which endangers the lives of students will not be tolerated.
00:05A message which Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath is reiterating.
00:10Between 2022 and 2025, secondary school suspensions rose by 87 percent.
00:17From 5,167 in 2022-23 to 9,676 in 2024-2025.
00:25In a total, there were 21,661 suspensions over that three-year period.
00:32And while the Prime Minister's firm position on acts of violence in schools,
00:37consequences for which she stated would include expulsion and the pursuing of criminal charges,
00:42Dr. Dowlath says the intention isn't to deny children education.
00:47Even as we take firm action to preserve order and safety,
00:51we are equally committed to safeguarding the rights of education for every child.
00:59Every child, including those who face expulsion due to their actions, deserve an education.
01:08The Ministry of Education is engaged in a comprehensive review of the programs
01:12and policies with respect to the behavior of students.
01:15From this, the Minister says a strategic and balanced policy will be developed
01:20after a review of programs and policies pertaining to the behavior of students.
01:26The aim, he states, is to have a safe learning environment.
01:29We have also engaged the Teaching Service Commission
01:32to accelerate the appointment of key personnel to address the massive leadership gaps.
01:38You see, Mr. Speaker, discipline does not start with punishment.
01:43It starts with presence, structure and responsible leadership.
01:48After years of neglect, that's exactly what we are bringing back to the education system.
01:53And that's not all.
01:55We are developing a national school safety audit
01:58to identify red flag institutions and deploy tailored interventions.
02:03We are reviewing the overall school code of conduct and discipline measures.
02:10And we are embedding social, emotional learning
02:13and anti-bullying education across all school levels.
02:21Because, Mr. Speaker, emotional intelligence must be taught as deliberately as mathematics.
02:28Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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