Of recent there have been disturbances in senior schools around the country. Now, I understand why bonnake (youngsters) would deliberately break or refuse totally to conform to rules. To them it feels like it is a ‘rite of passage’. I was once in their position and I know the ‘Godlike’ feeling you get for defying authority. These are just kids; 15, 16 and 17 year olds, and that is the most terrifying part about these disturbances. What kind of society are we breeding?
It is simply a society that is dead morally. It calls for condemnation from all areas of society. One can say these kids feel they are not treated right, taken for granted or any other argument along those lines, but does that justify their behavior? The fires, the hysteria and general disobedience are just too much to condone. Now the big problem here is that they seem to be doing this, not for any other reason except self gratification; the feeling that ‘yeah we have stood up against authority.’ These kids need to be disciplined in order for them to see the future in a broader way. How do they expect to excel academically (that’s the primary reason why they are in school) while their attention is focused on defying set rules and regulations?
The disturbance in senior schools is second on my ‘worry’ list. My biggest problem is the disobedience in tertiary schools. Now this is a bit complex. These are not kids; they are adults from whom you would expect some sense of responsibility. My problem is not with the issues that are a cause for this ‘disobedience’. The higher purpose is often termed fight for ‘our rights and struggle against oppression.’
Somebody needs to remind my friends in tertiary schools that with rights come responsibility. They are so caught up with the former that the latter does not even exist to them.
Tertiary students have been intoxicated by an elevated sense of self-importance. Instead of sobering up and advancing reasons, they resort to slogans and a militant approach to everything they deem unfair. Mass demonstrations, class boycotts and strikes have become the answer to every perceived problem by tertiary students. It is the same mentality displayed by bonnake, only that at this stage it is a serious concern. These are the people whom the society is looking up to run the country on behalf of the people. With this kind of approach to problems, are they fit enough or will they be fit enough to be entrusted with the affairs of the greater society?
If people resort to mass demonstrations, boycotts and strikes as a solution to every problem, then they are failing as people who can be entrusted with responsibility. Dialogue, Communication, consultation and consideration are essential to resolving problems and disagreements.
Morena Monganja