Alain Jeannot
20 November 2007
Port Louis — Regrettably enough , when it comes to education, we often tend to overlook fields of interest, which are not formally included in school syllabuses or programmes.
This is perhaps due to the fact that there is such a rat race competition that any extra-curricular business is often perceived as a waste of time.
It is to be asked if the rising tide of uncaring attitudes and rudeness is not proportional to the decline in the importance given to good manners, which in the past used to be part and parcel of a child's upbringing.
Having taken stock of the situation and its adverse consequences on society, the British authorities introduced the SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning) scheme in primary schools a couple of years ago.
This ambitious programme aims at teaching students about basic courteous and considerate behaviour such as saying please,thank you, respecting elderly persons and dealing with conflicts in a civilised way by avoiding violence and bad words, among others.
Under that scheme, "60 per cent of primary schools achieved a dramatic improvement", reports the mirror.co.uk in its online issue of 30/4/2007, which further observes: "Attendance and performance in examinations also improved."
In one school in Plymouth there were no incidents of serious bad behaviour in the year after Seal began. There was also a drop in the number of exclusions. Teachers reported calmer classrooms and less bullying.
Children often in trouble for swearing and naughtiness found it easier to get on with others after the lessons. Among the golden rules taught in SEAL are: "We are gentle, we are kind, we work hard, we look after property, we listen to people, we are honest, we don't hurt anybody."
Another scheme known as R-Time, introduced in 2002, purports to develop healthy relationships among primary school children. It marvellously complements the SEAL scheme as it has led to a 40% decrease in bullying over five years.
Strengthened by the positive results obtained at primary level the authorities have decided to introduce the scheme in secondary schools "as part of the national curriculum in an attempt to combat a growing tide of rudeness, violence and lack of respect."
Would it not be desirable if such schemes could be developed locally? The rise in juvenile delinquency, lack of respect for elders, egoistic and inconsiderate attitudes might well be fuelled by a decline in good manners among other reasons.
What's the use of making great efforts to formally qualify oneself for a job if one is to be disqualified for displaying impolite behaviour during interviews?
What's the use of being academically successful if we are unable to share healthy relationships with others due to uncaring and rude attitudes?
No man can ever be an island. Cooperation is one of the objectives of education and this is only possible through good interpersonal relationships which are greatly facilitated by courtesy.
It's not surprising that "good manners" was one of the essay themes in the Cambridge School Certificate English paper this year. Rings a formal bell for those who still think they are a waste of time!!!
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