Is school safety being compromised? Tutor President Martin Lumpkin raises concerns about the recent half-day closure for Prime Minister Moody's arrival and its impact on students taking exams. He stresses the need for dialogue and consultation with the Ministry of Education to avoid disruptions.
Lumpkin also addresses escalating school violence, emphasizing the necessity of rehabilitative institutions, increased resources, and enhanced security measures like surveillance and patrols to maintain order. The call to action is for a closer look at the root causes and preventative action.
00:00Tutor President Martin Lumpkin says, while he understands that today's half-day closure was meant to ensure safety and ease of traffic congestion for Prime Minister Moody's arrival, it comes at a cost.
00:14He points out that schools are in the middle of exams and the loss of valuable classroom hours is a serious concern for both students and teachers.
00:23We are hopeful that the functionaries of the Ministry of Education do not now come down on our members to produce the results of the examinations, keeping in mind that this short period, a half-day, was given off and that it affects the examination being produced and given, as well as the results.
00:52According to Lumpkin, even though the government and the union may not always see eye to eye, meaningful dialogue is still necessary.
01:02He believes that consultation should be standard practice before making decisions like these.
01:07We did not get any notice of it before. We got it at the same time as what would have happened with the public and the schools.
01:19And we would have appreciated the fact that this decision was forthcoming and that this would have affected our membership so that we could have softened the blow somehow.
01:32Lumpkin also weighs in on the issue of school violence.
01:36Just yesterday, five teenage girls appeared in court for assaulting a 15-year-old Form 4 student.
01:44The tutor head tells the TV6 Morning Edition, while students cannot simply be thrown out onto the streets,
01:51He believes there are institutions that can help rehabilitate them, and those institutions need greater care, resources and attention if they are to be effective.
02:02He notes that the violence is escalating.
02:05Students are taking the opportunity to bring weapons into the school as well, too.
02:11And if that continues, then you have to wonder what will happen to those who try to enforce some level of discipline and law and order within the schools.
02:24So we have to really not only step back, we have to really take a look at what is taking place and get that intervention.
02:32He also wants surveillance and patrols.
02:36We have heard instances anecdotal instances where items are thrown over the walls of the schools, at the back of the schools, because there is not monitoring.
02:46We may have to install CCTV cameras that can monitor the perimeter as best as possible.
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