Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) says it is against a 9:30 p.m. curfew for children to be off the streets between Sunday and Thursday, unless accompanied by an adult.

The call for a curfew was made on Wednesday by the Kingston and St. Andrew Action Forum (KSA-AF), which called for other tough measures to deal with the rising level of violence against children.

However, Sylvester Anderson, president of the NPTAJ, says he does not support the call.

"I cannot subscribe to that," Mr. Anderson told The Gleaner yesterday.

"It should be left up to parents to determine whether or not they want their children to be on the road."

Too much state power

Mr. Anderson said such a move would give the State too much power. He was also wary of what would happen to children if they are found on the streets after 9:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals, said he would support any move to keep children off the streets.

"No child should be on the streets at nights. I don't think there are any extra classes at their respective schools that will go on at that time of the night, and it is not safe for students to be on the streets at that time of the night," Mr. Stewart told The Gleaner yesterday.

"So, I would support (the curfew) so they get home immediately after school is finished," he added.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com