By John Myers Jr., Staff ReporterIN A desperate attempt to address worsening behavioural problems at St. George's College, the school's administration and parents are considering the installation of surveillance cameras as part of a new 'Safe School Programme'.
At an emergency meeting called with parents at the North Street, Kingston-based campus on Tuesday, principal Lloyd Fearon recommended that the school implement the new initiative developed by the police, in an attempt to correct indiscipline and restore the institution's reputation.
The meeting followed reports of deliberate vandalising and damage of property and drug abuse.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Norman Haywood, who is attached to the Office of the Commissioner of Police, told parents that by instituting the programme, "it would identify the students who are trouble-makers."
He said the school would have to ensure that "random searches are done on students and their belongings." He also recommended that a record be kept of students found in possession of illegal substances and that a school resource officer be informed of what is found.
POLICE OFFICER TO SUPERVISE
The resource officer would be a police officer assigned to supervise the school.
DSP Haywood said further that the programme would co-ordinate activities with other stakeholders to erase violence and other anti-social behaviour in the school and rehabilitate troubled students.
The DSP stressed that the final decision on implementation would depend on the recommendation of the parents and the school's board.
Mr. Fearon, in highlighting the seriousness of the problem, pointed to a prevalence of ganja smoking among boys who congregate at Emmett Park during class hours.
He said the widespread use of cellular phones continues to thwart efforts to apprehend them.
"The most recent was last Thursday. I saw shadow movements by the windows up there, and by the time I got the keys and went up there, the place was empty and the room was stink with ganja," he said, adding that "there is one way in by a spiral staircase."
Mr. Fearon said the boys were able to escape with the aid of another student who used a cell phone to alert them.
As a result, a decision was taken to ban the use of cell phones on the school campus. A student centre will be equipped with a telephone to facilitate emergency calls at a charge of $20 per call.
Last week it was reported that students slashed the tyres of the sport utility vehicle belonging to the Dean of Discipline and badly defaced the vehicle. The vehicles of several teachers have reportedly been similarly damaged.
Parents at the meeting said they needed more details on the Safe School Programme before agreeing to its implementation.
