By M. S. A. Rahim
Chief Inspector of Police (Retd.)

In our truly good old days there was respect for the elders, the teachers, our superiors and other fellow beings and also strict discipline at religious places, schools and other public places. Having inherited from our colonial rulers a splendid and efficient administrative set up, an untainted judicial system, a commendable armed services (army, navy and air force) and an efficient police service with little grave crime, right round the island, and strict discipline among the services, and a very laudable educational system from our dedicated mission of all four major religions.

The public servants performed their duties in a just and fair manner, courteously and efficiently, in accordance with the rules and regulations set out for their guidance; considering their duty as a service to the public.

The teachers themselves then lived up to the ideals of their calling. At that time strict discipline in and out of school, a moral code of conduct and sports prowess and excellent performance at public examinations were the hallmarks of prestigious schools, and other noble qualities that make us worthy citizens of our motherland.

I know of then students, who just because their unmindful elders sat nearby on the floor, out of respect for them, wrote standing their school lessons at home, aside their table and chair. This is just one solitary instance of the many, of how we of the old school respected our elders then, besides the ancient traditional custom in Buddhist homes of the young prostrating at the feet of their elders, and the Islamic custom of greeting with ‘Salaams’ when they meet other Muslims and offering such ‘Salaams’ at other prescribed occasions, still prevalent in some homes. Some of these good things have now been forgotten.

Then came sadly and sharply the harmful TV, and cinema shows, video-cassettes, jackpot etc. in and around Colombo and other areas. There is now no discipline and order among students both in and out of school. At closing time there had been instances in some schools over the appointments of a few intelligent students as prefects. For other reasons some students challenge other students for a friendly fight as it were often enough culminating in serious consequences with some parties setting up some questionable characters to seek revenge by threatening them with guns, knives and other dangerous weapons. Some students even smoke cigarettes, consume alcoholic drinks, take heroin and other dangerous drugs. Some students get involved in serious crimes such as rape, burglaries and even murder. Some parents or guardians accost teachers and indulge in wanton arguments with them to the embarrassment of their own children’s teachers themselves. Some students regardless of other classes, talk aloud, compelling their own teachers to teach louder.

There are occasions when there had been interfactional clashes at our hallowed universities too with ragging, injury to persons and damage to public property, proving there was no proper discipline, even in the portals of higher learning.

Recently there was a news item in "The Island" of 24.5.2001 of Welikada Police arresting thirteen students of respectable homes. Three of them middle level police officer’s sons, with a haul of valuable TVs, computer sets etc.

There was also another news item in the "Daily News" of 21.8.2001 of Gampaha Police, arresting nineteen students, attached to three schools within Gampaha U.C. limits while they were playing jackpot in Gampaha town recently. Police also seized the jackpot machine. This is just a drop in the ocean, compared to the many instances we often hear of now.

The parents, as lawful custodians of the children should be vigilant to find out about the behaviour of their own children during and after school, specially when they go out to attend tuition classes, and not allow them to get involved in nefarious activities.

So, it was about time, the authorities concerned took timely cognizance, of these young students indiscipline, and adopted timely effective remedial measures to curb this trend before things can get out of hand in the larger interest of our society and the fair name of our motherland.