The fights at schools in the Cul de Sac area over two days reported on in Saturday's paper are a matter of concern. Security in and around classrooms was a big issue on the island not too long ago, particularly regarding secondary education, but it appeared the situation had improved since.
However, with the new academic year just a month old, certain students and even a few parents and other relatives evidently believed getting physical was the only way to resolve conflict. That is highly regrettable, also because it sets exactly the wrong example.
Judging from its reaction, the management of Milton Peter College (MPC) in any case takes the incidents very seriously, has already suspended two of the suspected trouble-makers and now will refer them to probation, with the threat of expulsion as ultimate remedy. The latter may seem a bit harsh, but one has to keep in mind the negative influence such actions have on the remaining students not only at MPC, but also at the other institution of learning involved, St. Maarten Vocational Training School (SVTS).
Make no mistake; violence can spread like cancer if kept unchecked, especially among the youth. The message that such behaviour under no circumstances will be accepted therefore must be crystal clear and unequivocal.
Furthermore, MPC Director Wim de Visser hit the nail right on the head when he said the community should examine its morals and values in terms of choosing to fight rather than dialogue whenever there is a difference of opinion. This disturbing trend unfortunately can be seen throughout all sectors, including, for example, in traffic where courtesy towards co-road-users in the past actually helped create the "Friendly Island" image that helped develop the all-important tourism economy.
Tolerance is a key component of a civilised country and should be taught starting at a young age. After all, youngsters who aren't open to the viewpoints of others, fail to respect them and don't learn that one can agree to disagree, to the extent that they quickly resort to using their fists rather than their tongues, are bound to run into problems later on in life.
