ST. ElIZABETH:

All second- and third-year students at the Sidney Pagon Agricultural High School in Elim, St. Elizabeth, were sent home by the school's administration, following a brawl at the institution.

The students were sent home yesterday, following a demonstration by the students at the institution.

According to reports, the school's administration sent home the students following a fight, which led to the Balaclava police being called in.

The police reportedly conducted a search in the dorms in an effort to recover weapons which were drawn during the fight among students.

The police reported that during their search, the light switches in the dorms were tampered with by some male students who objected to the dorms being searched.

The students, yesterday morning, padlocked the gate to the school while second- and third-year male students remained in their dorms to protest against what they claimed to be abuse from the police.

Professional search

Inspector Louis Brown of the Santa Cruz Police Station denied the allegation made by the students.

"The dorms were searched with a level of professionalism as officers were aware that they were dealing with students ranging between 15 and 18. And even though they were involved in a brawl, every precaution was taken to ensure that the students were not abused," said Insp. Brown.

Chairman of the school board Moses Dodd reported that two students who refused to take part in yesterday's demonstration were badly beaten by fellow students and had to seek medical attention.

"We have been experiencing some level of indiscipline at the institution, however, we were trying to have these problems addressed internally. Monday's fight and demonstration forced the school's administration to take action," said Mr. Dodd.

He said the decision to send home second- and third-year students is being used to defuse the tension.

"They have been told to return on Monday with parents and guardians, at which time a meeting will be held with a view to unearthing the problems which led to the brawl at the institution," added Mr. Dodd.

Insp. Brown says that resulting from the recent incident, the Sidney Pagon High School would be placed on the Safe Schools Programme.

- Neville Paul