THERE IS A GROWING CRISIS of indiscipline, violence and immoral conduct in the schools of member states of our Caribbean Community. The problems extend from rude and delinquent behaviour, to sexual improprieties, violence and dope dealing.

Add to this very challenging, depressing situation the open clashes, verbal and at times physical, between students and teachers and, sadly, between parents and teachers, at times in full view of children on school compounds.

Nor can the problems linked to cellphones be ignored given their misuse in the spread of sexual misconduct, decline in moral standards and physical violence. They are all features of the crisis overwhelming school heads and education officials, as well as police forces already burdened with escalating violence across CARICOM.

Across our region there are the lamentations against the negative use by students of cell phones while at school and even during classes. More recently, camera phones are contributing to the circulation of pornographic images on the Internet. Trinidad and Tobago is now moving to ban such instruments.

Then there are the recurring threats from students in possession of knives and other weapons and those who mix their presence at school with marketing and/or consumption of dope.

The enormity of the problems require more than despairing complaints and moral outrage. Creative, imaginative ways need to be found to collectively address these problems, and in a coherent manner that involves ALL concerned. These could include: parents/guardians, teachers, education officials, lpolice forces, governments, private sector, church and trade unions, as well as the media in various encounters, including consultations and town hall meetings.

By the widest possible involvement of relevant stakeholders, it may be better to identify origins of and remedies to the problems, and adopt new approaches in dealing, for instance, with the intimidating, hostile attitudes of parents when corrective measures, some innovative, become necessary.

Likewise, teachers and police forces must endeavour to be more sensitive to the concerns of parents/guardians when action is taken against students in order to avoid unncessary misrepresentations, bitterness and, worse, serious damage to teacher-parent-student relations.

The time has certainly come for some thoughtful approaches across CARICOM for uniformity in dress codes; common positions on limitations and/or bans on use of cellphones during school hours; and certainly bringing camera phones to school. Since when are these phones necessary tools for students?

A common policy at the national/regional level is also be required against possession of any kind of weapon by students and, if necessary, the introduction of a policy of authorised frisking – however controversial it may seem – for a specified period as part of a new physical safety and security programme.

Some schools are already using metal detectors nd Jamaica is considering training teachers to perform police functions at school with the help of the force.

No knives, guns, scissors, nail clips or any other instruments that could be used as weapons must be permitted. Most definitely no dope. Students with weapons or dope should be dealt with firmly with the involvement of parents or guardians.

These random observations and suggestions for consideration in new approaches for solutions are offered here simply in good faith with the hope of at least inspiring debate to arrest the spreading crisis – the sooner the better – right across CARICOM. *Rickey Singh is a noted Caribbean journalist.