Private schools also know as Preparatory schools are considered the hub of the upper echelon. The hallmark of these institutions is supposedly discipline. Students are often regarded as a “cut above the rest”, but are they?
Disciplinary Issues
Jamaica’s social economic class system is based on money, of course, but there are other criteria. These include European-based notions of etiquette and decorum, as well as education and the way people dress and speak. But there is something else, something that inherently defines the Jamaican concept of class.
From what my mother taught me, the “upper class” was “respectable”. Respectable people lived by certain standards. They weren’t “raw-chaw.” Vulgarity, obscenity, arrogance, rudeness, slovenliness, idleness and “showing off” were considered signs of a “lower-class” upbringing. These behaviours are not only prevalence in primary school, but more than often in “Prep schools”.
Another unspoken expectation of people in “upper class” was decency. Decent people had integrity. Decent people didn’t “take advantage.” Decent people “did the right thing.” Do all the members of Jamaica’s “upper class” behave according to these standards? Of course not. Some abuse their positions of privilege. Which is exactly what Prep school children have been taught. Parents oblige rude and indiscipline children and pass them off to teacher who are expected to work magic on correcting “behavioural issues”.
Impact on our Society
What are we really putting out into society? Children who will eventually become adults with improper solidified mentality; who will break the laws and expect to be not to be reprimanded. Simply, because we refuse to instill a certain level of discipline. If you love a child you would discipline them. Do not “spare the rod and spoil the child”. These same children will over power their parents, peer, judicial system in the long run. We have trained them to feel like they are above the law, why though, is it the money? the greed for money? well I strongly believe whether you come from a “wealthy” background or not. Students should be discipline and should face consequences for their actions.
Fearful teachers, fearful school
Preparatory teachers are in fear of losing their jobs, the school is afraid of losing students. What does this foster? A system that condones indiscipline. Even though this can be considered as unwilling or unintentional. However, this is what happens.
Solution…
Take back our schools from indiscipline children and parents who live in denial and “pat children on their backs” irrespective of indiscipline behaviour, which teaches children to disregard the authority of teachers and or adults. There is a level of discipline instill at each school, if children can not obliged, reprimand them, if behavior is consistent, “boot them”, as in boot camps, disciplinary boot camps; we cannot sacrifice indiscipline for money.
PEP 