A group of students of the Dominica Grammar School, identified as ‘repeat offenders,’ on Wednesday decided to form a ‘Good Boys Club’ following a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development.
The ‘Good Boys Club’ is intended to help in efforts to address the issue of ill-discipline at the DGS through the reinforcement of positive behaviors.
The students met with education officials to discuss the recent incidents of violence against teachers at the school.
Students were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and account for their misbehavior at school. They shared with education officials their thoughts on the issue of violence at the DGS, the school’s policy on punishment and the recent attacks on two teachers.
In condemning the attacks on the teachers, the students pledged to help rebuild the image of the DGS by playing an active role in improving student behaviour at the school.
Already, the students have nominated four teachers at the DGS to guide the club’s activities and have planned a meeting for the near future to discuss their plans and ideas.
Students identified the need for an active football club and a practice facility at the school to engage boys who are prone to misbehaviour and say they will also organize speaking engagements in classrooms to caution their peers against anti-social behaviour.
They also requested of their principal, Alicia Jean Jacque, the opportunity to lead special assemblies as they continue to develop their plan of action to address disruptive and rebellious behavior at the DGS.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development will provide the necessary support and continuous monitoring of the club’s activities to ensure that the initiative is successful.
I strongly believe that the P.T.A should be deeply involved and suppportive of this group of young boys.Help them realize that theres a hero inside of them,and with God all things are possible.May almight give you all vission.
This is an excellent idea. We are waiting to hear some more positive actions.
Good luck boys. In the end you will be happier for it and able to continue with your studies uninterrupted until you graduate. I bet your teachers including the Minister of Education are pleased with your effort “of building-up”. We do want to hear how you are progressing towards your goal.
I wish you well in your endeavour. God’s love, blessing, graces and peace.
This is very positive news. Welldone to the Ministry of Education,H.R.D, teachers and all concerned.
At last someone is listerning to these young individuals, allowing them to voice their concerns and ACCOUNT for their misbehavior.
Alas no mention of what part the parents/guardians of these ‘repeat offenders’ will be playing in the success of the ‘Good Boys Club’.
I wish them every success.
The problem is not the students, nor it is the teachers. The problem is the system. If the system fails then everything else will fail. How can they fix the students and the teachers without fixing the system, it will never work.
The problem is escalating because of Universal education without a contingency plan. All students DO NOT learn equally. And unless the education leaders understand that, there will always be problems in the schools.
Do we understand that we cannot expect the children of today to behave like the children of yesterday. I am so sick and tired of hearing people talking about when they used to go to school blah blah blah. That was then, this is now. SO they are not behaving like yesterday’s children, so what happens next. Are we just going to continue saying that or are we going to learn how to address the problem. Children have rights too, why are they “rude” “bad” etc etc etc. Ok so they are, what’s next? What are we going to do to protect the other children are not? Does Peter really have to pay for Paul. A child does not just get up and hit a teacher…..if that is the case, then the child is mental. Surely, there must have been signs leading up to that incident.
What about classroom management? Are the teachers equipped to deal with these indifferent behaviors? Or do they have to teach in spite of/despite of…. It is broke, so lets fix it.
@ Teacher
Are you really a teacher? Your comments are surprising for a teacher. The System is not a thing. It is the people as the government, Minister of Education and the Principal/ Headmaster.
You are saying that you are tired of hearing that children of yesteryear are not the same as children of today. Why not? Only the years changed.
What has happened to the children of today? Can you pinpoint the cause of their actions why they have become so godless and violent? Many of us know the reasons which have been emphatically expressed in this column and other relevant columns. No more clarification is needed except to state:
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever. He will not exonerate those children who, I am certain were indoctrinated in the faith and whose many parents disciplined them accordingly but they failed to accept discipline.
It is the same manner of thinking that some people state that the Church should change to suit present-day ideologies, myths and sinfulness.
You have it all wrong.
I hope that is not the only solutiopn to the problem. Every stakeholder has to be investigated. that is a start with the studets; just a start-mind! Decisions must be done where the principal and staff are concerned. We need a wholesome approach to solving the problem.
Good gesture; wrong name!!
Great initiative.Looking to hering great things about the boys club.GOD BLESS.
YESS IT IS A GREAT INITIATIVE, BUT I FEAR THE NAME “GOOD BOYS CLUB” IS GOING TO DEFEAT THE PURPOSE….please carry out a survey among the male students and find out how many would welcome being included in the “good boys club”….i think it is a bit divisive, creating a situation of the good boyz versus the bad boys, and the bad boys are awfully good at ridiculing those who associate themselves with the “good boys anything” those responsible need to delve into the subculture of youth today to understand the dynamics at work….example: most of the cadet corp kids are labelled as “young police” and sometimes cut off by their peers. not wanting to be too critical but critical nonetheless.
I’m very excited by this news. It just goes to show they can do it if they try and use their god given ability. All the best going forward.
I would also like to say that I hope the adults don’t fail these young men going forward after a great initiative. Also the name of the club doesn’t matter. Its the purpose it serves.
A step in the right direction!..
“Repeat Offenders are now in the Good Boys Club and leading on ways to stop indiscipline”
Since when do law breakers, make the laws.
Absolute crap.
Any student that strikes a teacher should be Expelled, without question.
huh? That’s what you got from reading that story? amazing!
You are so negative. They are all trying to be good.
@ siangUK
It is obvious that you do not know much and need to learn a lot. They want help, have sought it and plan to do better in the future. They need encouragement and not your criticism. Types like you should keep your ignorant and negative, unChristian-like views to yourself because they are not helpful to them or others for that matter.
There are people who were imprisoned, who murdered and committed other crimes. Some of them have been rehabilitated and have gone on to be role models and useful citizens. Are you not aware of that?
After all is said and done, they do need a second chance and to make amends after all they are still children/students. God gives us many chances throughout our lifetime. Then why can we not give them a second chance. What they have established is a ‘Good Boys Club’ and a step in the right direction. Let us compliment them and encourage them.
This is an excellent idea and I applaud those involved for taking the initiative. As a former (female)student, I would like to give back some of my time if required.
That building still up, I thought the students occupy the new DGS building.
Parents, teachers, and administrators expect schools to be safe havens of learning. Acts of violence can disrupt the learning process and have a negative effect on students, the school itself, and the broader community.In addition, prevention should address all types of influences on youth violence: individual, relationship, community, and society. Effective prevention strategies are necessary to promote awareness about youth violence and to foster the commitment to social change.
The schools should promote safety and teach students the skills needed to prevent injuries and violence. It provides guidance for all components of a coordinated school health program for all grade levels.
I am happy to hear about this group. Violence is serious and it should be a funded Program “Striving to reduce youth violence among schools” PREVENTION SAVES LIVES…
A good step. Well done.
Positiveness, positiveness boys. Great job and that’s the way to go!
Great idea!!!! I think we could be a bit more creative with the naming though…. good boy club how long did that name take to be conjured? Maybe for organizational purposes they should be paired with an already established club such as the lions or rotary club to give guidance and analyses objectives and strategies.
come on boys lets bring back the good gramer school that we had befor.You all are the feauture of tomorrow join together and make a difference
moving in the right direction
That’s the type of positive news I love reading!! I’m very proud of these young men who have stepped up to this role! Keep it up guys, you are the leaders of tomorrow!!