School fights reflect lack of discipline

FIGHTS among groups of school students reflect a general lack of discipline and counselling among the children.
Add to those peer pressure and hormonal-driven adolescent conduct and you have a situation which can be counter-productive and a hindrance to character development if not effectively harnessed early.
The behaviour is often seen in sports arenas, intra-school and inter-school functions.
It relays the message to teachers, parents and guardians that a problem exists which, if not nipped in the bud quickly, can adversely affect the development of a young person.
What has been happening between two secondary schools in Lae is becoming a concern because despite all the effort by the police, government officials and school authorities, it is still happening.
Again last week, police had to break up clashes between the students of Lae Secondary and Bugandi Secondary.
The clashes between these two schools have been occurring so often now that tougher measures need to be taken.
Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jnr rightly pointed out that it would have to come down to arresting students and hauling them to court just like any other law-breaker.
Hopefully, the students will then realise how serious and illegal their actions are and the punishment they may have to face which undoubtedly can affect their education.
For the sake of the students and the public, we hope Wagambie and Lae police are serious about conducting a mass arrest of the students if another fight occurs.
Wagambie is asking for the assistance of parents and former students to prevent further school fights in the city. Whether it will help, nobody knows.
But the students have to be treated now like adults because they choose to behave like adults. Rogue and law-breaking adults.
They have chosen to ignore lawful instructions and advice and must be prepared to face the consequences. Period.
Last week, some even hurled sticks and stones at police officers who were trying to stop them fighting. Abusing law enforcement officers in such a manner makes the situation even more outrageous.
Harsh as it may sound, but the solution to the violence between the two Lae schools is to take them to court.
Let the law deal with rogue behaviour appropriately.
If possible, parents should be required to accompany their children to court to witness for themselves the seriousness of what they have done.
Maybe then the parents will be more strict in their supervision and guidance of the children.
Parents must look after and manage their child well as they are the number one teachers.
Parents who push this responsibility to teachers should know that they are reneging a responsibility bestowed on them in the first place. Parents who do not look after their children properly can expect a troublesome adult later on.
It will be reflected in their school work and in interacting with other people.
The parents and teachers have to be strict in the upbringing of the child.
The police must be strict in upholding the law and take to court those who violate or breach it.
And that includes students who knowingly break the law.
The time for pussyfooting around this Lae school fight problem is definitely over.
Police have to be strict.
It will also relay the message to students around the country involved in such activities what they too can expect.