“HOUSTON, we are going down a rabbit hole.” The education system of any country plays an integral role with how it performs as a developing or developed nation. The vantage viewpoint is easily seen when an individual travels outside his or her own country and does a comparative analysis with their present location and their country of origin. I viewed mine as a ray of hope with too much emphasis on getting rich. What do I mean? The picture is painted and somewhat etched in the minds of a lot of our youths that selecting a high-earning career or getting rich in the quickest time possible is the route to go to be considered as a successful person – or better yet put, a ‘money man’.”

Trending brand vehicle ownership, with the latest technology in hand and on hand, having the “baddest” footwear and clothing with a spritz of an expensive aroma are some of the basic beliefs that relate to a young and successful individual. But wasn’t the “rich” concept glorified in our classroom for decades? Is the new so-called “generation of vipers” really a reflection of what has been inculcated for many years and now re-engineered for living “rich” in the modern era?

A who a run di grung?

If the education system serves as a functioning body in society to ascertain socialisation, the creation of our workforce, building the sociocultural norms, and creating social solidarity, then what is happening to our Jamaica?

Considering the fact that our education system is a microcosm of our society, the colourfully drawn lines that run across subdivided demographics still serve as a determinant of why our societies are performing in their own unique way. It is plausible that our youth across the country are becoming even more knowledgeable of what classism represents, and their drive to break down the barrier by trampling the crayon lines is considerably aggressive. Apparently, we are witnessing the “get rich or die trying” hustler’s philosophy being played out in front of our very own eyes.

The spike in criminal activities is perceived to be attributed to the glorification of negativity in social media and media overall. For example, sometime in 2022 Minister Robert Morgan related to the negativity of the Dunce Cheque song that glorified being “dunce”, a “badman” and a “choppa”. That is just one of the many songs that deliberately glorifies the incompletion of school, gangsterism, and advocates for the microwave way of life to become a perceived successfully rich member of society.

If you really pay attention to the criminal activities happening in today’s violent society, you are guaranteed to find at least 40 per cent of the nation’s youth being involved. And sadly, it seems as if recruitment of our teenagers is resembling the socio-political norms of certain underdeveloped countries, of which we are knowledgeable. Please tell me who or what is to be held accountable?

A bruised education system

It is evident that our teachers do not have the arsenal of disciplinary measures in comparison to the historical norms of our education system. So if the ministries have unarmed the nation’s teachers, why are the redesigned measures of discipline non-functional? Is it safe to say that the education system has failed to implement effective measures of discipline and accountability, especially when compared to the times of having the originally respected pioneers and disciplinarians in our classrooms.

Today I say thank you to the educators who have curved my behaviour for the better, and it is because of you I have been able to positively contribute to our society for over 18 years. In my opinion, moral values, etiquette, and civic pride were significantly emphasised during my tenure as a student, especially at my secondary-level alma mater.

Things have recently changed for the worse since the emergence of technological applications that expose our youth to all types of crazy cultural expressions, even more so than in previous times. The advancement of technology and its attributes have immensely assisted in quelling the fire of discipline and control over our students in this modern digital era.

At least 10 years ago, as teachers and parents, we were still able to manage certain behavioural patterns of our youth’s engagement with technology, but now we have to deal with the nuances that come with social media applications such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, and the social negatives that they bring. American school fights are easily viewed and emulated by our students. Scenes of teachers being floored overseas are easily viewed and emulated by our students. TikTok dances and movements in and out of school, even with school uniforms on, are easily viewed and emulated by our students. I just pray that mass shootings will be ignored by our students, even though we have heard about weapons being carried to school and used in attacks on school grounds. Contrastingly, smartphones are now used as sophisticated weaponry, and we do not have the artillery to shut them down.

Educate to change

As Marcus Garvey said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without its roots.” This knowledge can only be gained through education. Even though the school is a microcosm of society we must acknowledge that the education system itself built that same society. Countries that have invested a lot into education are now reaping the benefits of having a high Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI is a composite measure of a nation’s longevity, education, and income, focusing on the people and their capabilities. It is understood that once a member of society is well educated and is knowledgeable of how his contribution to society can affect his household, himself, and his country, then the positive changes in cultural norms will start to take effect. That simply means that everybody literally wins!

How many of our students, at all levels, profoundly comprehend how they can contribute to society to positively affect the socio-economic development and their future overall? This is a critical question that needs to be answered by those students who have transitioned to the “bad” path and by those who are still on the “good” trajectory. The answer to that poll will give you a synopsis of what to expect in the near future as a citizen of the land that we love so dearly. Those who govern our education system need to re-evaluate the type of society they want to shape and mould and the strategic methodologies that should be implemented to achieve our 2030 vision by 2030.

David Richards is a tertiary-level educator and advocate for sports and educational management.