Nagra Plunkett, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
The St. James police are looking at introducing the Safe Schools Programme at Maldon High School in the parish following an altercation that left a male student dead and another hospitalised with stab wounds last Thursday.
"We are definitely considering it," said Superintendent Warren Clarke, commanding officer for the parish.
"However, the programme works best and must be supported by a firm posture of discipline by the school administration."
Increased violence
Cleon Levine of Granville, St. James, was fatally stabbed outside the school gates. The fifth-form student was allegedly attacked by a relative of another student, who was stabbed and injured earlier on the school compound.
The Safe Schools Programme is a Ministry of National Security project, introduced in September 2004 to reduce the incidence of violence in primary and high school level institutions.
Reports are that since September, there have been five cases of stabbing at Maldon High School. The institution has been dogged by controversy since the dismissal of Derrick Wilson as provisional principal in July by the Ministry of Education.
Supt. Clarke told The Gleaner that investigators were close to apprehending the primary suspect.
"It (the disruptive behaviour) is unbridled juvenile delinquency," the officer commented. "We are prepared to work with the school administration to improve the supervision of the students."
Mr. Wilson has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, which has issued an injunction, preventing the Ministry from advertising the post. In the meantime, senior education officer Devon Ruddock, has been sent to the institution to oversee its administration.
Parents and students have protested against the decision, with several contending that since Mr. Wilson's absence, the general supervision has deteriorated at Maldon High, giving rise to bouts of indiscipline.
Verlon Vernon, president of the school's Parent-Teacher Association, gave his formula to restore order at the facility.
"Bring back Mr. Wilson. The police coming in would be good for the institution as the teachers would be getting some assistance with the students," he said.
