Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Grappling with a spiralling murder rate and a nation beset by criminal-minded youths, chairman of the St. James Parish Committee, Mark Kerr-Jarrett, wants a rebirth of the Boys Scouts, Girl Guides and Cadets in primary and secondary schools.

The Montego Bay businessman was addressing employers from the northern and north-western region who were honoured at the HEART Trust/NTA's 25th Anniversary Awards Ceremony at the Starfish Trelawny Resort last Thursday.

Designed to instil character, citizenship, personal fitness and leadership in boys and girls, 10-17 years, through a structured programme of activities, both the Boys Scout and Girls Guides were popular aspects of Jamaican life years ago, particularly in relation to values and attitudes.

Mr. Kerr-Jarrett is recommending the removal of the shift system in the island's schools so that evenings can be allotted for the programmes.

"We must give our children a to violence and gangs,and keep them occupied in constructive activity," he stressed.

Mr. Kerr-Jarrett said he could not take credit for the idea, having discussed it on Michael Anthony Cuffe's talk show programme on Power 106 FM. He said the programme should become a part of the school curriculum, "where they learn teamwork, discipline and life skills, authority and responsibility from as early as primary school."

"The cadets must become part of the secondary-level curriculum," he stressed, adding that mandatory sports or community service should complement this area.

His call comes weeks after Pastor Glen Samuels of the Mt. Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church in Montego Bay recommended that the country's young men should be enrolled in a compulsory service with the army.

Mr. Kerr-Jarrett lauded the work of the HEART Trust/NTA and the employers who have participated in helping the young school leavers in achieving on-the-job experience.

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com