Our educational system, has undergone major changes over the last half century, and while some of it has been positive, there are concerns that all is not well with a structure that has moved away from old fashioned discipline, which was so effective in helping people to become successful, despite social disadvantages of the past.

Without discipline in life, the door opens wider for anti social behaviour, and disrespectful conduct, on an increasing scale that is troubling to those who have witnessed the slide to an undercurrent of hostility, that shows its face in so many areas of community activities. All this did not occur over night.

Bermuda needs to study carefully the impact of dramatic changes in behaviour of many of our young people, who today have far more opportunities than previous generations, yet some behave as though the world owes them something, just for being here. Many countries large and small are battling with evolving lifestyles that have clashed with proven values, that build character and a sense of responsibility.

Few would disagree that the world has become a fast moving maze of complex issues, along with mind boggling communication devices that have created a cyber space jungle, where such technology has been helpful at times and also very destructive. In the midst of this period of constant change, the young mind has also been vulnerable to a breakdown in discipline at home, school, and the workplace, and that leads to a weakening of qualities needed for any type of community growth.

Our educational system, no matter how much technology and modern techniques are introduced, will face an uphill battle in producing solid civic minded citizens with a keen sense of right and wrong. If we, as a people, stray from discipline and replace it with fanciful excuses for those who choose to rebel against orderly codes for good living, we will continue the slide to a less orderly society.

Education should be linked closely with what young people learn at home, because true education is far more than slide rules, books, and computers. Those things are necessary in today’s highly competitive world, but even more important are values not usually taught in the class room. We hear a great deal these days about hard pressed parents in a tough economic world where quality time in parenting becomes a challenge.

This is made even worse, when negative distractions in all forms bombard most cultures on a global scale, and trying to steer a young mind toward traditional values amounts to a 24/7 task, that is not easily attainable in conditions where parents are stretched thin in trying to stay financially afloat. However, parents must also realise that losing a young mind is more costly than any shortcoming in the process of making a living.

Turning a blind eye to this subject because it is overwhelming will not cause reality to fade. There was a time when the education system in Bermuda had discipline as an anchor in helping to mould students into expected conduct not only in school, but also in society. It might not have been perfect, but it had great support from the home as part of what was then community support in raising children.

Over the years what was once considered discipline has been defined as child abuse, which blurs the line between positive discipline and physical abuse, which should never be condoned. A child must be corrected early in order to send the right signals about expected behaviour.

Even in the area of sport there has been an increase in hostile conduct on and off the field, which has turned off some fans who find it too unpleasant to attend some fixtures. We have witnessed some of these embarrassing displays at Cup Match and major football encounters, and a lack of proper discipline could be at the root of this alarming behaviour.

Such behaviour is also evident on our roads as recklessness and speeding has become a hazard we would prefer not to have on our narrow roads. There is nothing wrong with focusing on economic growth for Bermuda. However, greater focus should be on an education system that embraces a closer tie between parents and the system in order to hopefully restore the type of discipline required to tackle modern day behavioural problems.

I recall a saying by a popular sports writer, the late Gordon Robinson, as he closed his evening broadcasts many years ago. He would sign off, by saying “play the game hard, but play it clean”. We need that taught more than ever these days.