Communication can avert strikes
Oct 17, 2004
THREE violent student strikes occurred in the country last week. In Nabumali High School, students set buildings ablaze. In Gombe Secondary School rioting students had secured petrol but were dispersed before they torched buildings. Kabasanda Technical Institute also suffered a strike.
THREE violent student strikes occurred in the country last week. In Nabumali High School, students set buildings ablaze. In Gombe Secondary School rioting students had secured petrol but were dispersed before they torched buildings. Kabasanda Technical Institute also suffered a strike.
Yet this year alone about 20 schools have been burnt in strikes and mysterious fires. This indicates a growing culture of violence and intolerance among our future leaders.
No grievance can justify damaging school property or assaulting teachers. However, merely heaping blame on students does not help. Most strikes can be averted through effective communication between the administration and students. School administrators should open up channels and encourage students to communicate frankly but respectfully.
In addition, good intelligence enables school administrators to know about any planned strike and take pre-emptive action. Should a strike begin anyway, the Police should deploy in time to minimise damage.
Yet this year alone about 20 schools have been burnt in strikes and mysterious fires. This indicates a growing culture of violence and intolerance among our future leaders.
No grievance can justify damaging school property or assaulting teachers. However, merely heaping blame on students does not help. Most strikes can be averted through effective communication between the administration and students. School administrators should open up channels and encourage students to communicate frankly but respectfully.
In addition, good intelligence enables school administrators to know about any planned strike and take pre-emptive action. Should a strike begin anyway, the Police should deploy in time to minimise damage.