Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

POLICE IN SCHOOLS

As I approach the end of my forty-ninth year on this planet I am acutely aware that I am becoming more and more like my father. Jan tells me that it is no bad thing to be like my dad, and I agree, but I mention it because I have to make sure that my reaction to some of the things going on in our society today is appropriate, and not just that of a grumpy old man railing against legitimate change.

But try as I may, I cannot come to terms with the recent decision by two of the schools in my constituency to deploy police officers (which they pay for themselves) in schools to help keep discipline. I am bewildered by it and quite understand the decision by one set of governors to react so decisively against the revelation when made known.

I first heard of such things about a year ago in a debate in the Commons when a Home Office minister let slip that in some inner city schools police stations were being opened to help keep order. I challenged her, baffled that such a step should be either necessary or thought desirable. Yes, she affirmed, I had heard correctly and it was a good idea.

On a bad day I might be persuaded to agree that in some schools in one or two of our troubled conurbations this step is defensible. But in Plymstock?

If we have really lost control in our schools of the behaviour of large number of students to that extent, then we really are in big trouble. Surely it is better to look at ways of restoring the respect that pupils should have, must have, for teachers rather than bringing in uniformed officers to exert their muscle. If we allow all of our informal bonds of mutual respect to be eroded, the glue that binds our society together, all we will have left is a big stick wielded from the outside. Employing police officers sends a clear message from the teaching staff to the playground yobs: you have beaten us, have a crack at the boys in blue.

I am totally and utterly against this move. I would far rather take the debate back to parents, consider more exclusions and give teachers back the ability to punish, than concede this precious ground.
But maybe this is just my wonderful dad growling from the sidelines.

posted by Nigel on Monday, August 15, 2005