Cadet corps member Shantal Gordon (right), salutes while she shakes the hand of Penwood High School principal Austin Burrell, during a training session at the school on Wednesday, November 21. The cadet corps came into being to instil discipline among troubled students. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

ST. ANDREW

One man's vision has brought about an important change in the behaviour of students at Penwood High School in South St. Andrew.

The school which is located off Bay Farm Road, and near the volatile community of Waterhouse, is using the cadet corps to instil discipline in troubled students.

Rohan Fearon, a teacher at the institution has seen his vision materialise right in front of his eyes.

He has put his heart and soul into the cadet corps, a club that was initiated in the third week of September this year.

"The purpose of the cadet corps is to lower the rate of violence in the school. There have been changes since this particular group was formed," said Fearon.

Fearon added that though the corps at Penwood is only three months old, it is growing from strength to strength.

"It (The cadet corps) is also effective in terms of discipline, posture, appearance, personal development and interaction between the students." Fearon explained that the principal of Penwood, Austin Burrell, has whole heartedly endorsed the programme.

Students upbeat

"It's good to have a cadet unit at the school. This will be beneficial to students, particularly in the area of character building. I hope that this will enable our students to get opportunities and be exposed to other environments outside the school community," said Burrell.

At a visit to the school recently students of the cadet corps seemed upbeat and ready to go as they performed their drills instructed by coordinator Rohan Fearon.

The discipline in the way they carried out their functions was evident and it just now to watch and see the effect this has on the rest of the student population.

- Anthony Minott