Primary kids behaving badly

| 14/10/2009

(CNS): Teachers working in government primary schools are facing growing numbers of very young children with behavioural problems, the minster for education has said. Rolston Anglin lamented the fact that children as young as five were presenting with serious behaviour issues when they entered the government system and this had led to the introduction of behavioural units in some primary schools. The minister said that while there were a number of causes the outsourcing of the reception class was a major contributor.

Speaking at Finance Committee on Monday 14 October, Anglin said that government must look at bringing the reception class back within the education system to address the increasing behavioural problems which, when beginning so early, would have a long term impact on their education. “The quicker we get children into structured learning the better the results will be,” Anglin added.

Government outsourced the reception class into the private sector several years ago to reduce the pressure on the primary school system and student numbers. However, the minister explained that the numbers of primary school students were still increasing and West Bay Primary now had more than 500 pupils, despite the removal of that first year. He said there was no doubt that Cayman faced a serious problem of physical space in schools.

He said government was faced with the combined problem of a lack of space and operating costs but it would have to take this issue on. In the interim, the minister noted, standards in the private pre-school system had to be improved.

Anglin noted that while parenting played a part in the problems some of the troubled children had, it was essentially that the education system also did something to address the issue, and he indicated that his ministry would be working more closely with the Community Services Ministry to address young people at risk. He said the problem was not unique to Cayman but around the world countries were struggling with increasing and deeper behavioural problems with younger and younger children. He said that until the roots of the problems were tackled, the worrying trend would continue.

The minister stated that the numbers of children and the severity of their behavioural problems were getting worse. He said as the economy improved his ministry would focus on a capital programme for primary schools to increase capacity and reduce numbers in schools, but the most important thing in the meantime was to have quality teaching staff. “We need the best possible teachers in every classroom," Anglin said. “One weak teacher can make or break twenty children.”

The former education minister, Alden McLaughlin, noted that while he and the new minister may forever disagree about whether or not his plans for the new high schools were grandiose or not, he was glad Anglin had recognised the serious problem of space in the school system.

He said that he too had looked at re-introducing the reception class back into the government system because standards in the private sector varied so widely from excellent early learning provision to nothing better than care giving.

But McLaughlin said that, aside from the problem of finding the space in government schools, he said he also came up against serious opposition from an entire industry that had grown up around providing the early learning education that had been outsourced by a previous government.

“It doesn’t matter which government did it but it goes to show what policy decisions can do,” he said, adding that wherever it was that children went to school they needed to get an adequate foundation in the early years.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Children behaving badly at primary school should not be a problem.  After all they are the future of Cayman and are only a reflection of adult behaviour. They are entitled to behave in this manner.

    The teachers cannot discipline where no values have been instilled and where they have no authority to do so.  This helper requirement has got to stop and parents need to take responsibility for their kids.  Why should a helper discipline your children?  The helper can only be respected by the children if you (the parents) show them respect.  This is problem; helpers are expected to be mother, father, baby-sitter, homework doer, cleaner, cook, bottle-washer, etc, etc.  It is impossible. 

    The value system in Cayman needs to be re-examined.  Cayman wake up, these children are the next leaders of government business, the CEOs and managers of the future.  They are the ones who will be making the decisions when you are old and grey.

  2. In the know says:

    Do you know why they wont bring back the strap??? because they outlawed it in the UK,

    Caymanian govt dont think for themselves, anything that is white they are quick to suck it up. Same thing with building the classroooms in the new schools without walls……an idea so stupid that it has been thrown out in every school in the region,from Dade County, to Kingston to Port of Spain. But from a white guy who just wants to make a quick buck comes here a proposes it, the morons in govt just grab unto it. Sometimes you just have to wonder if Cayman is in the Caribbean or in Europe.

    Another issue here is the fact that alot of the kids are having kids….but no one wants to talk about that. Fact, the  schools in Cayman do not teach any form of sex education….I mean are they living in the 21st century.  I mean are the schools been run by educated people or religious nutters who think the Earth is flat.

  3. FlyOnTheWall says:

    I have had the unfortunate "privilege" to be in every single preschool on this Island at some point over the last few months. I am horrified at what goes in in a vast majority of these "schools".  The only way to get Minister Anglin to realize the magnitude of this problem is for him to actually visit these preschools – unannounced.  He is, folks, dead on when he says the preschools are a contributing factor and that their standards must be raised.  I invite, even dare, Minister Anglin and any other persons interested, to choose one or two preschools per day and just drop in – but carry your barf bags and tissues for tears after you leave.  It is appalling, utterly unbelievable at what you all will find.  And yes, there is a "unit" in the Education Department that is specifically for improving quality of early childhood provision in the Cayman Islands.  I think that unit’s staff should be held accountable for doing absolutely NOTHING since it has been opened. 

    And parents, you all really need to step up.  It really shows what you all think of your children when you can drop them off at a preschool where there is not one single toy for a class of thirty three year olds (yes, 30!).  Worse yet, there may be one or two toys to share between everyone, thus the "gang" fights.  How can you go to work and know that for two hours a day your four year old is going to be slouching over a desk for their nap (yes, a 2 hour nap while sitting at their desks)?  How can you eat your deli lunch, and know that your child is being given slop that has almost no nutritional value to eat?  How can you say you value your children when you pick them up at the end of the day and there is noone there that can speak English well enough to tell you how the day went?  HOW?  You know why – because you had kids, and expect to do the bare minimum.  That is exactly what these schools are doing – the bare minimum.  Thus, with parents who give the bare minimum, and schools who sometimes do even less, we are ending up with a future which will give us – the bare minimum. 

    SHAME on us as a society – SHAME on the preschool owners, and SHAME on you parents who think your children do not deserve anything.  And SHAME on a Government who allowed people to come in here and spend millions of our dollars to do NOTHING, to allow standards in preschools to fall even further, and then pull the wool over your eyes.  Our children are suffering now, but we will be the ones to suffer later – they are the ones who will only know how to do THE BARE MINIMUM when we need them to take care of us!

    • Anonymous says:

      This is a sad but very accurate description of the problems in many of the early years settings across the Cayman Islands. With regards to the Early Childhood Services Unit, apparently every single employee has left the unit except the Head. One must therefore hold management accountable. Mrs. Marnoch and Mrs. Wahler, what happened to the millions of dollars spent to improve conditions in Cayman’s early years settings? This is a public disgrace and needs to be addressed by Minister Anglin and the new administration if Cayman is going to have a viable education system. Cayman’s youngest and most vulnerable children deserve better!

    • MDU says:

      Did you go to Just For Kids in Prospect? I fail to believe you did..so dont generalize and give a poor reputation to all the pre-schools out there.

      My  2year old attend the above mentioned preschool and the place is ALWAYS spotless, the kids are orderly, the food is nutritional that is served, they have beds / cribs to nap on and a structured curriculum that INCLUDES worship / devotions daily..something some families dont evendo at home!

      Oh..did I forget to metnion that the place is OWNED and OPERATED by a CAYMANIAN??And that she is a QUALIFIED Teacher with donkey years of teaching experience and may have taught you, your kids and possibly your grandkids depending on your age?

      The classrooms at the school have maybe 10-12 kids of the same age group with TWO classroom teachers, the toys are organized and sufficient for everyone to have toys.

      So before you make generalized statements, please gather your facts and write accordingly.

      And no…………..am not family to the preschool owner or any of the teachers…am a parent and an aunt of kids that attend there. And I feel credit should be given where credit is due.

  4. Parental abuse and neglect says:

    Studies have shown it is mainly poor parenting having this effect on behavior… the saddest part is with all the people out there who want to strap their kids some more, all the children really need is love.

    Why hit a child when we teach them not to hit?

    From not strapping in kids in car seats, to the way I hear people speak to their kids on an almost daily basis, to children who barely see or know one or both of their parents as so many homes here are broken…the level of neglect and ignorance is monumental that we have to overcome.

    http://www.philanthropycapital.org/downloads/pdf/GI_summer09_parenttrap.pdf 

  5. ready to run says:

    One thing is for sure…Nothing will happen.  The parents who don’t care about their children (and there are a lot of them on Cayman) will never have a reason big enough to change.  Their childrends children and they are already haveing them will be worse. Cayman Goverment has always shown that it is only interested in its own survival so no help will come from there.  So unless something truly radical happens like a massive loss of life disaster this no respect bunch of kids will soon be the next rulers of Cayman.  Think it can’t get worse?  Is that what you thought 5 years ago?  Think forward 5 years when the 15 year olds are 20.How many murders a week in Jamica now. Cayman is catching up.  My advice.  If you can go you should start planning for it.  Cayman is well on its way to being totally over run by spoiled ,uneducated, disrespectful, and unemployable people just bent on survival.  O wait…Thats already happening.

  6. o.c.m. says:

    It doesn’t take a genius to recognize the very obvious, but it does take a brave person to state it.  Parents need to start parenting; simple as that.  If you don’t believe that, bring a puppy into your home, give it no attention, allow it to do as it pleases, enforce no rules/routines, and see what happens…

  7. Anonymous says:

    Take a look at your pre-schools

    I work in the education system.  Before putting the blame on primary schools, please take a look at your pre-schools.  These are, for many, very poor, both in structure, learning opportunities and quality of teaching.  The Government seems very keen to raise education standards.  Funds are severely needed in early years education.  Having seen the opportunities children have in other countries, seeing the provision for children in the lower economic end here is shocking.  Please inspect them. Please make them meet standards.  Then take another look at your Year One students.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Like everyone, I agree that parenting is the primary cause of behavioural issues, but I would say it just isn’t that simple. Unfortunately, in most families both parents have to work full time in order to survive. Part time jobs are very hard to get in Cayman, and job sharing is non-existing. Constructive after school activities are often catered and geared towards the more fortunate. A lot of parents have to take on more than one job, and often have to work unusual hours or shift work (think supermarket, hospital, hospitality industry etc.). This make arrangements for child care and proper supervision even more challenging (and for a lot of less fortunate unatainable). When you have to leave the child in somebody elses care (while the parents are at work), you can only hope that the care person enforces the rules and discipline the parents have set out, but usually, this is not the case. Often nannies or helpers are underpaid and can’t bother to deal with the extra hazzle. Why should they punish a child, ensure that they doing their homework and studies when turning a blind eye is so much easier. It is human nature that people make the job as easyfor themselves as possible. Grandparents who are often involved with raising the children do lean also towards spoiling their grandkids and often do unknowingly more harm than good in the long run. Yes, grandparents should be allowedto spoil their grandkids, but there is a different between a grandparent who sees their grandchild only once a month or almost every day. Parents are often too tired and stressed and can’t bother to arguing when coming home or enforcing the discipline, and this is usually the beginning of a slippery slope. I believe that times were better when a mother could be home with her children, ensuring a routine, proper nutrition and regularly enforcing family values. Unfortunately, those days are gone. Instead of just putting a band aid on a problem, the bigger picture needs to be kept in mind. Living expense needs to be at a level so that a mother can afford to work part time only, after school activities and supervision need to be available to all children, no matter of their social background. And yes………..there are parents who simply don’t care, but there is always a spoiled apple in the bunch. Honestly, my husband and I are very fortunate. We are both employed full time and earn a good salary and can afford full time help. We also have the help of grandparents and other family, but we also struggle to ensure that discipline remains constant and consistently and is enforced by everyone who is invovled with raising our children.

    • Anonymous says:

      Excellent thoughtful post – thank you for taking the time to write. Please contribute more. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Perhaps this would not be an issue if the Department of Education Services, Early Childhood Services Unit were properly managed. What say you Mrs. Marnoch? Mrs. Wahler?

    http://www.compasscayman.com/observer/observer.aspx?id=4594

    What ever happened to Strategy Three of the National Consensus on the Future of Education in the Cayman Islands?

    What has happened to millions of government dollars spent to improve early years provision across the Cayman Islands!?

    • o.c.m. says:

      You surely don’t expect any sensible answers – if you do, you’ll be sorely dissappointed.  Accountability is not the strong suit of those in charge, especially at the very top.    They’re more concerned with hiding inefficiencies, selective enforcement of rules and regulations, mismanagement, covering their behinds.  Take your pick.  Oh yes, and fending off criticism.

  10. Twyla Vargas says:

    PRIMARY KIDS BEHAVING BADLY.?  You have,nt seen anything yet.  You want to take a visit to the Bodden Town District.  At nights park your car in the vicinity of the Harry McCoy,s Park in front of the Mission House between Gunsquare and Daffodil Street.  Then park across the Public Coe Wood Beach and just watch.   You know what you will see????? Children, Boys and girls, primary age level, between the ages of 10 and 14 hanging out at the park and beach all hours of ther night.

    Next morning when you visit the Park, and Mission house area, all you can see is condoms all over the place.  Even ruber gloves,  I dont know what they are doing with them.   The same little group then roams the streets and go down to the Coe Wood Public Beach and is pelting eggs at people,s cars and their homes.

    One would say where is the police.  The police do visit these areas, but these kids run and hide in the bushes when they see the police comming.  Further more we cannot expect the police to baby sit your spoil child that you let roam the street all night without knowing where they are, and even if the police attempts to speak to the child or parent, the encouraging parent does absolutely nothing but critize thr police.  Some of these parents need to be charged for allowing their young children to roam the beach and parks at night.  This is one of the reasons we have Teen aged boys killing each other.  Because the parents want the police to baby sit their children while they watch Television.   A new breed of gangsters is comming up, and it is time you parents and the police nip it in the bud.

  11. Anonymous says:

    The major contributor to the growing number of very young children withbehavioural problems is not outsourcing the reception class, but a lack of proper parenting.

     

    I challenge the Minister to do the research to see how many of these children with behavioural problems are the off spring of teenage girls and/or societal misfits who themselves were behavioural problems when they were younger. Sadly, it is just the cycle repeating itself.

    As a past teacher, I use to be totally horrified by the behaviour of some of my students, then I met their parent! Young children need to be taught good behaviour, but infortunately some of their parents are incapable of doing this.

    I agree with poster Parenting 101 who said that parents should be called into the office and strapped themselves. Teachers do not need the power of the strap; the only power they need is supportive parents.

    I also agree with the poster who indicated that this bad behaviour had been occurring since the 80’s and had essentially been swept under the carpet. You would be appalled at the kinds of incidents that have been occurring at the government primary schools – children bringing marijuana to school, sexually assaulting other students in the bathrooms, threatening and actually assaulting teachers.

    Minister Anglin, I know that you have a lot to do as regards bringing the education system back on track. It is neither easy nor short term, but you need to listen to the teachers more. Sit with them and let them tell you (without fear of victimisation) exactly what they go through on a daily basis.

    The former Minister of Education as well as the former Permanent Secretary of Education had their children at private primary school and/or high schools, so they were essentially clueless and had no point of reference to base a lot of their asumptions about what was needed. They talked the talk but they didn’t walk the walk.

     

     

    • Twyla Vargas says:

      14:24 you want to see Hell and Powder House, come to the district of Bodden Town.  Just two nights ago I was visiting a friend in the area of the Harry McCoy,s Park down Gunsquare, and you should have seen the young boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14.  That time of night they were hanging out in the park , and around the Mission House.  They then left and went to the Coewood Public Beach where they began pelting eggs at peoples houses and cars.   If Parents and the police are not vigilent, they are going to have a little gang on their hands, you mark myword.

      • Anonymous says:

        Did you call the police on them, Twyla?

        • Twyla Vargas says:

          07:05 Of course the police was informed.  You know what the parents did after they were told.  Cursed up in the police station saying their children did nothing wrong, and they the parents were going to call two Gods,  Mark and John John. 

          For christ sake, !!!! how can we be any better off when the parents of these spoil children, pelting people house and cars with eggs,  doing God knows what with so many condoms in the park, and the encouraging parents are asking political intervention.   Give me a break!!!!   They were seen running wild likea pack of wolves by people in ther area.    A new breed of gangs, mark my word.  Parents who encourage their young children into wrong doing will surely cry for them one day.   HELLO !!! do you see it happening every day.  Gunshot after Gunshot, after Gunshot. .  dont worry keep encouraging them and see who will be next.  You love your small children and grand children????? Then find out where they are at night.

          • Anonymous says:

            I am 7:05, Twyla, and thanks for your answer. It doesn’t surprise me what you say about the conduct of the parents. That’s the only time they do anything-when they go to curse the police or the teachers or those of us who chase their kids off our property.

            BTW, Coe-Wood beach in BT is a good example of how we are lucky in Cayman to have such public facilities but at the same time we can’t enjoy them because of all the unemployed and don’t want to be employed young men hanging around there (especially the toilets) all day and every day doing nothing but looking mischief.

  12. Anonymous says:

    And its time that the leaders of this country, ESPECIALLY the MLAs take a hard look at the example they are setting for our children by their behaviour.

  13. Anonymous says:

     

    As a parent of two preschoolers I believe that behavioral issues start at home. My children by no means are perfect and do have some issues with behavior, (as with most children that age) although I agree with the extra year ( which leads to them leaving school later) I don’t think that it is up to the government or the teachers alone to address this issue. Each day I pick my kids up; I get a run down from each of their teachers as to their behavior that day and I address any issues then and there. I also enquiry on how their day was and if they had any issues, and we talk about them as well. (e.g. why did you act that way? How did it make you feel? do you think that was nice? etc)Parents HAVE to start taken responsibility for this as well.  I am truly grateful for the preschool my kids attend; it is by far one of the great ones with very high standards IMO.
     
    Children are not perfect and behavior issues are in work in progress and we all (teachers and parents) have to work together on this and not just leave it for government to sort out, as far as I am concern they (the government) have a lot more pressing issues such as safety in community and crime (which also may be a by product of this issue), and financial status of these islands to deal with.
  14. Anonymous says:

    I agree with the others who say put the strap back in the schools. At this point, it can only do good.

  15. MDU says:

    For Anglin to say the the parents play "part" in the problems that the children have, has me floored!! Parents play a MAJOR PART in a child’s life especially at this age…..and you say he is the Minister for Education?? Get him some education on this subject matter quick!

    We as parents cannot expect the Education system or the teachers etc to raise our kids for us. We have to take full responsibilty.If the behavioural problems are medically based..get a professional involved, advise the school and ask for their assistance as well but dont let the responsibility rest squarely on the teachers or education system shoulders.

    Anglin…who you want to raise your kids?? You and your wife or "the system"? Am interseted to know.

  16. The Force says:

    "The minister said that while there were a number of causes the outsourcing of the reception class was a major contributor."

     

    This, in my opinion, is one of the major problems because for the most part the pre-schools are not well regulated. Some are really pre-schools whilst others are simply day-care or holding areas.

    Manadatory reception classes should be reintroduced ASAP. It was sheer folly to remove it in the first instance! 

    • Luke Skywalker says:

      Where you say you goin put all the likkle pickney dem? Must be on the grass piece cause there aint no space anywhere else.

       Capital Spending is the devils work, right?

    • noname says:

      Couldn’t Agree Anymore.

       

      It breaks my heart knowing kids as young as five years old are becoming a big problem at such a tender stage in their life where the only thing that should matter is having fun & the enjoyment in learning and meeting friends.

      Parents we have to take responsibility for our kids actions, 80% if not 90% of our kids time are spent at home the other 10% or 20% are spent at School. Teachers are there to teach our kids and protect them while in the care of the Teachers.

      We often blam the School system for what ever reason put view the other side of the lane’ the only ones who should be walking around with that blame is’ we the parents no one else. Itoo agree though that bringing the strap back into the School system is what’s needed and Parents being held accountable for their kids actions especially at the age of five.

      Kids now a days have no fair in Teachers cause they know if the Teachers were to strap them Mum or Dad would be there in a heart beat to rip the Teachers apart so teaching our kids these sort of actions/words is more less telling our kids it’s okay to head off to School and do as you please ”Wrong” to being with, not only does this means Teachers will have many bad days ahead it also means our kids will be left behind while others succeed in life. Now who will have the long term effect in time to come? Sad to say but not the Parents we need to stop being selfish in thinking so but sadly it’s our kids who will end up carrying the bigger problems on their shoulders in timeto come.

      Take North Side Primary School as a prime example’ yes it’s the smallest of all Government Primary Schools, but having kids start off in the Reception Class before going onto year (1) Is the best thing Government could have done. I always wonder why Government took this opportunity away from all the other Schools Why?

      Behavoir issues starts from within the home but I do believe starting off in the Reception Class is a great help to our young kids before heading into year (1). This gives the kids a knowledge of the School / getting to know their Teachers and so on.  I was so amazed to see how the little ones take care of eachother, they have their own play area aside from the bigger kids there’s always an adult waching over them at all times and at the same time their gaining knowledge. I hope Government will allow the Reception Class back into all Gov. Primary Schools.    

       

      God Bless Our Youth!

            

       

  17. for-inna says:

    ‘The former education minister, Alden McLaughlin, noted that while he and the new minister may forever disagree about whether or not his plans for the new high schools were grandiose or not, he was glad Anglin had recognised the serious problem of space in the school system.’

     

    Careful now! That almost sounds like they are agreeing with each other on something. What next? Collaboration? Working TOGETHER for the good of the people? Surely not, I must be dreaming….

  18. Anonymous says:

    I just don’t know why the Government won’t put back in place the strapping at school. It never killed me or my parents! come on now don’t you see that back in day we didn’t have the problems that we’re having now in the schools.  I say put the strap back in the schools!!!!!…. 

    • Parenting 101 says:

      I agree, however the parents should be called in to the office and strapped themselves, in front of the children. 5 year olds don’t need the strap, they need supportive caring and loving parents, not some couldn’t care less $25 a day helper to raise them.

      • Fallen Angel says:

        Ah!  Right you are.  The helper really couldn’t care less if  after starting work at 6am and by 6pm still is expected to be parenting your child for $25/day!

        And where were you by the way?

    • Fallen Angel says:

      Just wondering,  why is it the school’s responsibility to strap your children?

      If anybody is going to strap my child it should be me – the parent.

      In my opinion,  the teachers are there to teach my child his abcs and 123s;  to reinforce what GMRCs(good manners and right conduct) I have taught him at home.

      Strapping is a severe disciplinary action (as a last recourse) and a private session with a parent after the child had understood why he is being punished.  This way a child will take this and understand that it had to be done because he is loved and cared for.  Early on he must realize that there are rules to follow and stepping beyond the line means there’s consequences, just like doing the right thing has its rewards.

      Remember – train the child the way he should go and when he is old he shall not depart from it?

      Otherwise, if I let him be every which way,   no rules, no bounderies, he may take it that I do not care.

      How would I know that the teacher was strapping him because he cares for my child and not because he was angry for one reason or another?

       

       

       

       

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank God for some common sense from Fallen Angel. These other "bring back the strap in school, it never did me harm" posters are so depressinglyignorant about how to raise a child in a loving structured caring environment. All they can resort to is violence to get their kids to obey.

        • Anonymous says:

          It’s not like they want to beat the kids to death.  It’s a simple form of punishment.

      • Anonymous says:

         You can’t count on the parents to responsibly punish their children.  The other kids and the teachers have to deal with any ‘problem’ child in the class.  Everybody else has to deal with them when they grow up.

  19. Anonymous says:

    I do believe that the strap has to be incorporated back in the schools.  I guarantee that once this is back in place that the behaviour problems will cease.  It never killed me or my parents! 

  20. Anonymous says:

    Disciplinary problems in the schools with children as young as 5?  Does this not surprise you?  Compiled with boys wearing their uniforms 2 or 3 sizes to big.  How on earth do they leave the house looking like this?  I don’t want to hear about the parents didn’t know.  For goodness sake, aren’t the parents with the children when the uniforms are being purchased.  Don’t they see when the child puts the pants on that they are to long, way to big, that their draws are showing?  Don’t they see their shirts are so baggy you can fit two people maybe three in them?  I can’t understand how the schools are allowing this?  Uniforms are to be fitted not baggy!!!!  Discipline starts at home with the parents even if it is a one parent home!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      How about giving the teachers more power to discipline these kids? 

      Nothing abusive, however it’s more than likely that at the first indication of any disciplinary measures, such as detention or extra classes, the parent(s) will be at the school screaming at the principal to have the offending teacher reprimanded or removed.

    • BRACCA TO THE BONE says:

      I say bring the strap back when i went to school in the Brac we behaved, sometimes we did slip up and got strapped but the fear of being strapped made us abide by the rules and if we did get strapped in school and our parents found out you got spanked again when you got home.

      If we look back you will see ever since the strap was removed from the schools our system went down hill but the bigger problem is the strap has been out of school so long that the generation that is now parents also was not strapped so they would not see where i am coming from cause they are the same ones that when their kids do wrong and are punished at school they go there to beat on the teachers so again the kids believe they a right but when these same kids are lost to the crimes of this world it is someone else problem the government must fix it well buddy its too late then.

      I am not saying that every teacher would have the authority to use the strap just the head master of the school that is how it was when i went to school.

      So bring back the strap and parents support the teachers when your child is wrong  beat their little rearend when they get home when they have done wrong or punish them some how else i am not saying to abuse them. It never killed us when we were growing up and it made us the great people we are today, so take the time and look at the picture and you will see what i am talking about.

      CNS: A Grand Cayman resident who has your moniker on her car licence plate wants to let it be known that she is not commenting under this name. Bracca, could you choose a different user name so there’s no confusion, please?

      • Anonymous says:

        sorry but she is not the only Bracca here and the licence plate is not even a legal one so why should i change i have always used this so what if i used my name would someone tell me to change that too because they have the same name sorry then i will not post since we have to be careful now of what name we use WoW what next.

    • Anonymous says:

      One of the problems is that we have some parents who couldn’tcare less and send their kids to school hungry with no money for lunch or snack.  Don’t make them do homework and run down the teachers in front of the kids.

      Besides having many great teachers, we have some who are not so great and really don’t care whether the kids learn anything or not. 

      I have a nephew who is in his last year of primary school – doesn’t even know his 2 times table and barely able to read.  What a nightmare he’s going to have when he goes to George Hicks.  Teachers and parents should be held accountable when children are just left by the wayside.

       

      • Anonymous says:

        So Anonymous — you have a nephew that has educational deficiencies.

        First — why haven’t the slapped your brother/sister  for raising their child in such a fashion.

        Second — have you volunteered to assist your own Nephew? "What a nightmare he’s going to have" — you said it yourself and if you haven’t offered to help, then you are have just as much accountability.

        Slackers — the whole lot of you. Stop complaining, stop blaming, stop asking for handouts & start working for yourselves. I have no sympathy for this.

    • Frequent Flyer says:

      Sort of off the subject, but…

      I was in the school auditorium on lunch break in the beginning of the school year and almost every single boy had their pants past their hips. Slouching around shufflng their feet and looking ‘cool’ I can’t believe thegirls find this attractive. All I could do was suppress my laughter at how utterly ridiculous they all looked, cartoon-like really.

      I thought they didn’t allow this?  If they are going to wear uniforms, they should be required to fit properly and wear them properly. Then they wouldn’t be able to wear them down around their butt. Otherwise, what is the point?

       

  21. Anonymous says:

    They have been behaving badly in the government primary schools since the 1980s but the Education Dept officers at the time responsible refused to believe it and swept it under the carpet.

  22. Curious George says:

    Do you think that children are born this way?  No, they are not, this comes from their parents lack of respect in their own lives. Everyday I see people driving along side the road (off the road) to get around cars, people just pulling out in front of you, people just basically doing what they want. This place is startingn to remind me of other Caribbean countries, and I am afraid it is getting to far down the road to turn around.

    PARENTS are responsible for sending their children to school well behaved and TEACHERS are responsible for imparting the academic knowledge.

  23. Richard Wadd says:

     Discipline (or the LACK there-of) begins at Home !

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree it is about time parents take responsibility for their children and their behaviour.

      • Anonymouse says:

        Thats not likely to happen so long as the parents can wake up every morning with the attitude that it is the Governments problem.

        • Anonymous says:

          Parents and our Government-

          Please educate yourselves in behavioural problems and how to deal with them effectively-the bible says, these are the last days and EVERYTHING will change (children against parents …). 

          Rollie, please help us Caymanian qualify to deal with these problems.  Approve funds and time for us to go to do the Bachelors degree in Social Sciences now (after so long)– this would be a great help. 

          WE  (caymanians that cannot run from the problems) need to be equipted to deal with OUR  problems.  Some parents have good intention but just cannot understand what is going on. 

          I am a single parent, a christian  and a community outreach worker so I am not here to point the figure, I like to find solutions and do what I can do to help those that may not be as tuff as me. 

           

          Lets break the cycles-every life is precious and God has a plan for each one-lets help them serve their purpose.

           

          Blessings