00:00President of the NPTA Walter Stewart tells the TV6 Morning Edition that
00:05students must know delinquent behavior will not go unpunished as incidents of
00:09fighting and disruptive conduct continue to surface in schools. This
00:14follows reports from the Education Minister of a troubling rise in school
00:18violence with incidents increasingly moving from outside school grounds into
00:23classrooms. The students have to realize that there are consequences for their
00:28actions and it cannot be business as usual that's probably why we are in the
00:31quagmire that we are present here because the students realize oh I can get away
00:35with this and nothing there's no consequence. Stewart says the problem
00:41must be addressed at its root pointing to challenges within the home and family
00:46environment that can shape student behavior. He also notes with concern the
00:51number of suspensions already recorded for the period 2025 to 2026 and says
00:58while he supports increased police presence in schools at least 51
01:03institutions still remain without officers. What is troubling even more
01:08startling is that 25 26 not yet completed 776 suspensions the violent religion and we
01:18are in there are three more weeks for this particular term and there are 13 weeks in
01:22the next term so the academic year 25 20 is not yet complete yet there are 776
01:29violent related suspensions. I mean what is going on? Stewart adds that while tough
01:36sanctions are necessary meaningful rehabilitation for students must also be a
01:42part of the solution. Why is there need for the punitive action the suspension there has to be that
01:47element of restoration as well and we are very high on that because it's not the
01:51end of the world for the child certainly and we have all made mistakes in life
01:55Marlon and of course we we want to be given a second chance. In a statement on
02:00Thursday the Prime Minister said a small minority of children continue
02:04disrespecting teachers and disrupting students who want to learn it she added
02:09that many of them are simply replicating bad behavior of their parents and others
02:15at home but her government will help those who want to help themselves but if
02:21you choose to misbehave be lazy and undisciplined you are on your own.
02:27Nicole M Romany TV6 News
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