MY daughter asked me a question this morning before leaving for work, which had me a bit concerned. The question was: ‘Do you think that principals or teachers should be held responsible for bullying occurring in schools?’

At which I was confused. She further stated to me that a Form One student of a well-known secondary school committed suicide as a result of bullying. My response to her was when society accepts that bullying is indeed a societal issue and is becoming a pandemic that has affected or affects all of us, then we are off to a good start.

I know I may get blows for saying this; however, I am going to say it anyway. Parents, please take your heads out of the sand and take time out for family time at home. It is time to resume sitting with your son/ daughter/children to chat with them about family values, traditions, beliefs, cultures, etc. Additionally, it is time to bring back praying together as a family into our homes.

Parents, you are the first line of communication with your child or children. It starts with you. Come on! You need to stop putting everything else before them, as they did not ask to be here in this crazy world we live in.

You need to take some time, at least once a week, and reach out to them. Changes in your children’s lives happen right under your nose. Take off the darkers or blinders, and open your eyes.

Spend quality time with them, as you would be surprised what you can find out. You need to make the effort and time for your family. Parents, guardians, relatives, siblings, providers: let us unite and bring back the ‘ole time days’ or the ‘ole time ways’. To the wider society: we need to check ourselves. Politicians, stakeholders, organisations, establishments, entrepreneurs, business owners- we need to unite as one and assist in eradicating bullying throughout the country. It should not always be about profits.

We need to use the different platforms to get the message far and wide that bullying needs to stop. Television campaigns, radio programmes, social media platforms, billboards, focus groups and community groups need to send clear messages to aid in exterminating bullying in homes, schools, jobs or workplaces, and in the entire country as a whole. Something needs to be done, and done soon.

Let’s stop playing the blame game. The education system can no longer do it alone. We need to join forces as one. We are supposed to be lifelong learners. It is never too late. The adage ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ needs to be dusted out and brought to the forefront. We are one and should be united as one. Yes, we are a multicultural society; however, we are one country known as Trinidad and Tobago.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of the young man who took his life. I extend my deepest condolences to you. Let’s come together for a better T&T and put a stop to bullying!

C Barbaste-Jackson