What is happening to the police force?

The security force is supposed to keep a nation safe.  These people are specially chosen to protect and serve the  nation making it a safe place to work, go to school, and live freely.  But in the last few months our nation went into shock when some of the most publicized arrest of robbers were in fact policemen.

It must be embarrassing to the police constabulary to realize that some of their colleagues and for some coworkers were implicated with the incidents of robberies that happened.  The question that I have for this is why?  Why person who swore to protect our nation decided to rob it?  Is it a case that they are so broke that they are compelled to steal?  Is it that there is too much stress on the job and they experience a meltdown thus turning to part time crime as a coping mechanism?  Whatever it is, it shows that the Jamaica Constabulary Force now has to review their recruitment exercises and conduct sporadic psychological tests to proper evaluate the mental well being of the members of the force.

Our nation is experiencing serious economic stresses but if everyone of us were to crumble and turn to crime, then the nation would be under siege.  Our Ministry of Health needs to deal with the issue of mental health of our overly stressed workers who are grossly underpaid.  This may seem to be a joke to some but there are many persons who are borderline insane and are at breaking point at our work places and homes! More and more individuals have taken drastic and negative actions due to feelings of  desperation and hopelessness and with that thinking, some individuals crack under pressure and do stupid things.

I end by asking the question, are our police thieves?  I say no!  It would be appropriate that the powers that be, instead of focusing on one type of remedy, should focus on the emotional stability and family life stability of members of the security force.  It may not be a cure for all things  but in the end it would become a preventative measure to reduce the incidents of not only police crimes but other crimes in our country.  The Jamaica Constabulary Force should take note!

Are there Lego Beasts in the Classroom?

About two weeks ago,  education minister spoke at the most recently Jamaica Teachers Association Annual General Meeting held in Montego Bay.  I believe that Honourable Ronald Thwaites was truly feeling what our educators have been feeling over the years and with the passion that he felt for the overhauling  of our education system he just simply expressed himself.

It is understood that the term "lego beast" seemed belittling of people's children but the reality for many of our under performing schools is that there are children who are released to the schools that seem to posses "lego beast mentality!"  One must remember the context in which this descriptive statement was used.  The minister was simply stating that our nation's teachers were spending too much time disciplining students before they had a chance to teach and by the time the class is settled, most of the teaching time is reduced, much to the disadvantage of the other students who want to learn. This is the frustration good teachers and students have to deal with on a daily basis and to be honest, it is a huge turn off for many educators who are now dealing with higher levels of over active students in the classrooms.  I guess parents think that teachers can deal with the problems that they cannot fix at home.  Teachers are supposed to teach or guide a child and not become referee and security officers!

Yes, Mr. Thwaites gave a charge to the parents to stop sending their "lego beasts" into the education system.  Was it a poor choice of colourful words?  Was he emotionally charged  due to the fact that maximum learning and contact time are not achieved in the schools?  I leave that for you to answer.  But what I do know is that many of our "Ivy League" schools that have received good parental support have lesser behavioural issues to deal with, thus producing successful grade averages in final examinations.

My take on this is that if parents know that they have troubled children at home, they shohuld find methods of interventions, When this is addressed, they should send them to school and inform the guidance department and administration of the emotional/behavioural issues so that teachers can develop strategies to deal with them.  Do  not "let go" the" troubled children" on the schools, it can become a crazy Zoo in there!