Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Students at the August Town Primary School are being exposed to a worrisome level of violence that could make them immune to pain and suffering, according to the school's principal, Morlton Wilson.

On Monday, 25-year-old Neil Bolton of Bedward Gardens, August Town, was shot and killed in the community.

It is believed that the killing was in reprisal for a shooting that took place in the community last week Thursday.

As a result, gunshots rang out in the area for several hours on Monday, forcing anxious parents to pull their children from school.

"The situation is so bad. A child gave a complete detail as to what she saw happened with the death of the man," said Mr. Wilson.

According to the principal, the child said she saw the man's intestines protruding from his body and spoke of the number of bullet wounds that pierced his body.

"When children see these things they will grow up and become insensitive to pain," said Mr. Wilson.

Protect the children

He said he was very concerned that parents are allowing their children to be exposed to these kinds of things and urged them to protect their children.

Mr. Wilson told The Gleaner that when violence erupts in the area, it is a loss for the children because the focus on learning is shifted and the normal school day and attendance are disrupted.

Only 50 per cent of the 447 students on roll reported for classes yesterday.

"It is very frustrating and when you look at the state that the children are in (traumatised and unable to do schoolwork while) other schools are pushing ahead," said Mr. Wilson.

He claimed that, when the shots were being fired in the area on Monday, a child put several of his books in his shirt to create a makeshift bullet proof vest in an attempt to protect himself.

In addition to the violence in the area, students are forced to contend with criminals who invade the school compound, brandish knives and steal their lunch money.

Mr. Wilson said he is in discussions with the Ministry of Education and Youth to have the school properly fenced, to prevent criminal elements from entering the compound.