The issue of gangsters and hooligans who bully the young and hapless students is like a plague, affecting one school after another. The ironic part is that the victim and the bully come from the same race and religion, as if the young minds tend to think that the school is not a place to gain knowledge but to terrorise and bully the meek and hapless.

I like to think that the problem has been brewing for quite some time but has been swept under the carpet by the principals involved because it will affect their career paths if the issue is blown up by the press.

The principals concerned should not be complacent about what is happening and should nip the problem in the bud before it goes out of hand. They should not think that just because a school needs to maintain a good reputation, you let pass or ignore the disciplinary problems of your students.

The bullies should be dealt with the only way they understand: give them the rod, speak to their parents, and as the last resort, sack them if they still have not reformed. I am sure there are other teachers who are more than willing to replace the principals concerned if they cannot handle their students well.

The safety and well being of our children demand that principals are kept on their toes and be on the ground to check on this problem. Headmasters should not treat their school as springboards for better posting by painting a good picture to the ministry official and public by keeping mum on the problems.