Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
THE SECOND term of the school year began trouble free on Monday for schools in south St. Andrew, and principals are urging the community to maintain the peace for the sake of the students.
"We are asking the people in the community to keep the peace, because it is beneficial to all of us, and we are urging parents to give as much support as they can," said Dennis Kelly, principal of Charlie Smith High School.
The principal of the neighbouring Trench Town High School expressed similar views.
"We would love the calm to remain, and we are hoping that as they (community members) share in the calm, it will make a difference in their lives because it is their children who will benefit," said Grace Smith, principal of Trench Town High School.
Last year, students from both schools were forced to stay home for several days due to a flare-up of violence.
In October, teachers absented themselves from the classroom, protesting against the renewed violence which resulted in one student from Charlie Smith being hospitalised with a gunshot wound and another from Trench Town High School being raped at gunpoint.
Now at least one school administrator is forced to play 'catch-up' this term.
EXTRA LESSONS
"We have lost time and we are now trying to make up by having extra lessons, guest lectures and whatever else we can do," said Mr. Kelly.
The headmaster told The Gleaner that there had been a cessation in violence since last week. He also noted that the police have increased their presence in the area.
Mr. Kelly said the attendance rate was about 65 per cent yesterday, but he noted that this was probably due to tradition, where the older students start the new term a few days later.
Mr. Kelly said by tomorrow he would be able to have a better picture of the attendance rate.
He also noted that there are plans to transfer the student who was shot near the school last year as her mother is concerned for her safety.
