The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is correct in its concerns regarding the suitability of incoming teachers. This concern should be a reflection of its efforts at realigning the system to meet the ever-diverse needs of our global village.

Is it justifiable to only now focus on the physical misdeeds of a few when psychological trauma in the classroom is ignored?

The TSC needs to clarify whether its intention is only to have psychological assessment done upon entry into the system and a police certificate issued or whether a more measurable degree of continuous assessment will be employed.

Will these measures be able to treat with issues such as teacher non-performance? Will these measures be able to address the selective teaching that occurs in many classrooms? What systems are being employed to make teachers accountable for their wards with regard to the change that should occur when community culture clashes with school culture?

Who is calling school administrators to account for non-performance? What type of sociological and psychological training do new teachers receive to prepare them to treat with classroom dynamics? Are teachers modelling the behaviours which are essential in effecting the changes that are needed in national culture, personal attitudes and behaviours?

It is not every day that children's heads are flushed in toilets, but psychological flushing occurs when we ignore them in the classroom; when we say they cannot learn; when we turn a blind eye on their issues and concerns; when we judge their situations; when we refuse to pay the attention that is due them in the classroom; when we tell them that they are stupid and will never be able to do this or that; when we judge them based on the job their parents do or don't do, on the car their parents drive or don't drive; on the lifestyle of their parents or on their shady past.

We flush them when we use as excuses that they cannot read or do math or science. We flush them psychologically when we go to class and do not teach (or is it that we have not been sufficiently trained to be in the classroom?).

Yes, the TSC is correct in its concern that there are psychos in schools, but are they about to address the issue of teacher competence and moral integrity? I pray that the TSC exercises its constitutional duty in ridding the service of those who are destroying the future of our nation.

Nanyamka Lima

Chaguanas