EDITORIAL - Leave our schools alone!

The looting and vandalism of schools is a worrying trend in a country that faces mounting security problems - in the home, on the streets, and at work. Creating a safe and secure learning environment for our children is not a trifling matter.

We, therefore, commend backbencher Mikael Phillips for raising the matter in the House of Representatives this week as he made his contribution to the Sectoral Debate.

Describing those who prey on our schools as scoundrels, the member of parliament called for harsher punishment for these criminals. But we must first catch them, Mr Phillips, in order to build a case and punish them. And we believe community leaders can play a critical role in the identification and eventual apprehension of these heartless individuals. An anti-vandalism hotline is perhaps a good place to start to attempt to identify the perpetrators.

We suspect that, as school vandalism spreads, many principals and administrators are quaking in their boots as they wonder who will be next. Indeed, many of our schools are vulnerable to these attacks because they do not have the funds to allow them to erect expensive security fencing or to employ security guards and install security cameras, or even to insure their properties.

We ask the question: What manner of malice possessed those behind the recent robbery and razing of a section of Tacky High School in St Mary? How can these criminals be made to understand that their actions could inflict massive, sometimes irreparable, damage on the schools they target? The loss of school records, books and teaching materials is just one aspect of the effects of the Tacky fire.

But who cares? Do they even care that the school community must pay for their acts of vandalism by replacing or repairing damaged or stolen property and equipment? Inevitably, it is the taxpayer who is saddled with this burden, unless private-sector interests intervene, as has happened with Couples Resorts in the Tacky High scenario.

SELFISH ACT

Disrupting children's education and perhaps stunting their prospects of developing into educated adults capable of earning a skill and a livelihood is a most selfish act. What don't these criminals understand about the concept that education is the means to equip the youth with skills to enhance their development as productive citizens? Schools should be seen as safe zones in all our communities.

Yet, after each report of a school being vandalised, the public looks on in disbelief, with a sigh and a shrug. Schools belong to communities. So, this cannot be the appropriate reaction, because some schools seem to be at breaking point, having been robbed repeatedly. Inaction will provide the impetus for these crimes to escalate.

We observe that, in addition to burglary, arson seems to be a growing menace within our schools. More and more churches are also becoming victims of malicious thieves whose greed is driving them to reap where they have not sown.

If the ultimate goal of schooling is to help our students make a success of their lives, we should do everything to beat back those who would try to disrupt this process. There is an urgent need for community intervention to reverse this trend. It will take the effort of the ministry, the police, parents, community-based organisations, and well-thinking citizens.

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