Violence at Inuksuk driving teachers away

As a concerned student of Inuksuk High School, I would like to respond to a recent letter about the violence at our school. (Nunatsiaq News, September 17, 1999). I feel very stongly about this and feel the need to do something about it.

I agree that there is a major problem that needs to be solved. If we do not do something about this problem, sooner or later we will have a bigger mess then what we have now.

There is definitely a problem with violence at our school. I have watched students get threatened with being beaten up, I have watched students actually get beaten up, and I have watched students threaten teachers with violence.

You cannot tell me that this is not a problem. Yes, I am only a teenager but I do know a problem when I see one.

If we do not wake up and smell the roses soon, this school is going to lose a lot of dedicated hard-working teachers. Karen Banfield had to leave because of the violence last year.

This year, I have recieved information that a dedicated teacher with an incredible love for teaching has also been forced to leave. It might not have been all about violence, but it was still about a problem with the students.

These dedicated teachers who will be greatly missed by all have been forced to leave. I want to ask a question. Who will be next? Do we really need to lose another hard working teacher?

The dedicated teacher who has been forced to leave this year because of problems with the students will be tremendously missed. He has a gift to teach and unfortunately, he has to give it up for a while.

If you had problems you could go to him. He was strict but fair, and most of all, when he taught something he taught it so that you would never forget it. We will miss you!

Do we really need to end up like this? I am very concerned and I think it’s about time to stop this on going problem. I am asking for help to get Inuksuk High School back on track.

Violence may be a problem in a lot of schools but this school is not a lot of schools. It is our school. That is all that matters.

(Please do not share my name. I still have to show my face at school every morning.)

A concerned student of Inuksuk High School
Iqaluit