Opinion: Crime and Education
[Written by Paul Coleman, member of the BDA]
Crime and education are two issues that feature almost daily in the news. This is a plea to look at the obvious connection between these two issues and to take action. There are dozens of theories to explain the rising rate of violent crime and dozens of theories on how to combat crime in Bermuda. The fact is there is no ‘magic solution’ but there is one approach that has had a proven effect in many countries. The data from around the world is clear – improving education will reduce crime.
Education can make a positive impact on crime in two ways:
1. If we improve education for Bermuda’s youth, they will be less likely to enter a life of crime. Many studies in the US, UK, and Caribbean show that quality education for youth helps socialize students, teach patience, help them to relate to others better, and be a positive part of the community. In particular, violent and property crime is reduced the most when education is improved. The studies also point out that the better educated one is, the higher one’s salary will be, thus making crime less profitable compared to a legitimate job. In one US study, keeping kids in school for one extra year led to an 11% drop in arrests. Even Bermuda’s own Hopkins report – the report that analyzed the public school system in Bermuda – concluded that “the future economic health of the island is very closely bound up with the workforce development”.
2. If we educate Bermuda’s incarcerated they will be less likely to commit future offenses. A significant number of people in Bermuda have been incarcerated more than once. The studies on the effects of educating the prison population are also clear: the higher the level of education attained while in prison, the less likely a person will be to commit a future offense. Amazingly, one study in Texas showed that where inmates completed a Master’s degree while in prison the likelihood that they would commit another crime was – zero.
The majority of Bermudians are educated in the public school system but sadly as the Hopkins Report indicates it is on the “brink of meltdown”. The public school system has failed many of the kids who depend on it most, and failed everyone because of the connection between crime and education. So regardless of whether we have school-aged children or not, and whether we can afford private education or not, fixing the public system must be a priority. My hope is that we can turn it around and improve all of our lives.
Here is my laundry list of next steps:
- Bermuda must implement the Hopkin’s report suggestions immediately
- We need rigorous programs to prepare students for the next step, including after school programs
- A code of conduct for students, teachers, and parents will go a long way to spell out expectations
- We must demand investment and training for the teachers in our schools, and expect the best to be retained and those not making the grade to be let go. Publishing the test results for the schools will make it clear how well the system is working.
The current level of violent crime is deplorable – and frightening- to all of us; Bermudians are united in our concern. The evidence is clear that a proactive focus on education can help, so let’s unite around education too; it’s one way we can all make a difference.
Paul Coleman, member of the BDA.
There is most definitely a connection between Crime & Education. A HUGE connection. It is so sad that the trade school that was successful for tradesman, especially men in my family, was removed b/c of racism and success. Simple solution, we need to bring it back AND with education and support for young people who wish to or who need to (gifted to) be in that field. I say that b/c many of them even if given this new trade school, will not go b/c they have a negative perception on the industry.
We always hear small to medium businesses, especially black-owned trade ones fail and we also hear the lies of how they do not make good salaries. I can tell you from experience that it is not true, but we need to educate our young people on these false stereotypes.
Many of the men today who are on the streets and in our jails, doing crime,drugs, etc could have years ago benefited from a trade and sports academy. The tradesmen today if they didnt have the opportunities with that trade school back then, they probably would have ended up lost like our young men today.
BERMUDA, let’s open up the opportunities for our future! Let’s create choices!
Also I must stress that the Bermuda public system in my opinion as being a top honor student all my life, is not failing those who are college bound. I and many of my classmates are making out just fine abroad in University. However, for the ones who are not college-bound b/c of choice, and the ones who are our tradesmen and sportsmen, then the system has failed them. Let’s open up an academy for them and teach them the way they will respond. More practical and field experience is needed (career training, career days, etc) and apprenticeships.
We can do it. Go Bermuda! Bless.