The Silence of the Youth — When Discipline Meets Discontent in Dominica
A Growing Crisis in the Classroom
Across Dominica, teachers, parents, and education officials are expressing concern over a troubling rise in student misbehavior, disengagement, and classroom disruption. From acts of defiance to violent confrontations, school spaces once seen as nurturing are now grappling with declining discipline and a sense of disillusionment among youth.
Discipline structures within schools have weakened over time, with many institutions now opting for leniency under the guise of inclusion. Uniform standards have eroded, codes of conduct are inconsistently enforced, and teachers are often left without the institutional support needed to manage conflict or provide meaningful mentorship. For many students, the school system no longer represents structure or opportunity—it feels like an obligation disconnected from real-world outcomes.
Pent-Up Frustration and Broken Pathways
What’s often labeled as “youth misconduct” is, at its core, a reflection of deeper systemic failures. In Dominica, young people face limited job prospects, rising cost of living, and limited access to outlets for expression. Scholarships are few, internships rarer, and vocational pathways remain underdeveloped. It’s no wonder then that many youth find solace and validation in protest movements, social media dissent, or even acts of rebellion.
The problem isn’t just behavioral—it’s existential. Young people are demanding relevance in the system. They are asking to be seen, heard, and taken seriously as part of the country’s future. When they don’t find it in the classroom or job market, they turn elsewhere.
Criminalizing Protest, Silencing Voices
Recent responses to public demonstrations—particularly those involving electoral reform—have added additional tension. Youth who join or support these protests risk being criminalized, surveilled, or silenced through harsh bail conditions. Some are barred from speaking publicly or attending gatherings, essentially removing them from democratic participation.
This clampdown has sparked alarm among human rights advocates. The combination of school dysfunction, economic hopelessness, and political repression creates a volatile environment. Rather than addressing root causes, the system appears more focused on suppressing symptoms.
The Need for Reconnection
Dominica must re-engage its youth with sincerity and vision. That means restoring discipline, but also restoring faith—faith in education as a pathway to mobility, in government as a vehicle for progress, and in protest as a right, not a crime.
Reforms must include:
- Stronger mentorship programs in schools
- Youth-focused economic policies and employment pathways
- Legal reforms to ensure protest rights and protect civil liberties
Without this recalibration, we risk building a generation not just of angry youth, but of disillusioned citizens.
This article is copyright © 2025 DOM767
