Deans of discipline focus on behaviour changes beyond sanctions

Deans of discipline who have participated in RISE Life Management Services’ training workshops, sponsored by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), are asserting that beyond sanctions, innovative methods are being used to tackle underage gambling prevention in schools.

“It’s not just sanctions that are being applied,” says Leroy Jones, the dean of discipline at St George’s College in the Ministry of Education and Youth’s Region One inner-city belt of Kingston and St Andrew, “as students are allowed to understand that there are certain behavioural expectations specific to the environment.”

“Though our approach is one of zero tolerance,” argues Levon Brissett, dean of discipline of Anchovy High of the Ministry’s St James, Westmoreland and Hanover Region Four, the largest zone, “we work tirelessly at buy-in from students and parents.”

Jones, a math teacher from 2006, was assigned the post of dean of discipline some two years ago, says the transfer was not problematic as both disciplines require the ability to reason.

The school prides itself with its safety net programmes, “but one has to be aware,” he says, “with the challenges facing society as youngsters are always at risk with the lure of quick money for all that they want.”

He highlights the intervention and behavioural modification programmes designed to help students understand why certain behaviours are unacceptable and should be prevented.

Leroy Jones                                                                                                                                                    

There is the weekend programme (on Saturdays) called ‘Journaling’, a five-hour programme fashioned by Vice Principal Huntley Anderson, that is one of the service to the school community. The programme features fitness exercise and a writing and rap session with the programme supervisor (the dean and others), in which students are given the opportunity to share their thoughts.

“It has been working effectively,” beams Jones.

At Anchovy, says Brissett, those found gambling are sent home, and are sent to RISE Life and other organisations for treatment.

On returning to school, they’re engaged as mentors for younger students, and this has successfully addressed the issue of gambling at the school.

Importantly, the restoration of a number of school clubs for extra curriculum activities under the stewardship of Principal, Dr Lavern Stewart, has also helped.

Brissett, Vice President of the National Association of the Deans of Discipline for two years, and now public relations officer of the Region Four body, shares the concerns of Jones about activities away from school.

“There are a lot of gambling sites which advertise on TikTok, and one has to be concerned about youngsters standing in line at various E-sports betting outlets.”

He emphasises the need for greater awareness among parents, expressing concern that not enough alarm has been raised.

"We must continue to sound the alarm because we cannot afford to lose our youth," Jones asserts. "As deans of discipline, our role extends far beyond enforcement; it's about fostering positive behaviour and transforming lives."

The Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission (BGLC), in full partnership with RISE Life Management Services, implements sensitisation and training programmes to address underage gambling prevention in schools and communities.

“Our partnership with RISE Life underscores our commitment to safeguarding our youth from the dangers of underage gambling,” says Vitus Evans, Executive Director of the BGLC. “By investing in training and sensitisation sessions, we aim to empower educators and communities to not only enforce rules, but also to foster environments where positive behavioural changes can take root."