Arthur Hall and Shelly-Ann Thompson, Gleaner Writers

Reacting to recent incidents of school violence, the education ministry has instructed that students caught carrying knives, or any other weapons, must be immediately turned in to the police to face charges under the Offensive Weapons Act.

The education ministry is looking to the police for help in its new drive to get tough on students who carry weapons to schools.

Adults who invade school compounds will also find themselves in trouble with the law, as the education ministry implements minimum guidelines to cut down on violent incidents.

Education Minister Andrew Holness said yesterday, during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, that students are too often merely given a slap on the wrist when they are found with offensive weapons seized by school authorities.

He said he now wants all such incidents reported to the police and the students charged under the Offensive Weapons Act.

The minister was speaking the same day reports surfaced that a vice-principal was assaulted by two girls at Christiana High School in Manchester (see THE STAR for further details). Holness also said a student from a prominent high school in the Corporate Area was spotted yesterday with a firearm by police at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre. However, when accosted, the boy escaped.

WIDESPREAD problem

Pointing to a recent search of a school in Portmore, St Catherine, the education minister said several knives, ice picks and other offensive weapons were found.

"This is just one school, this is just a random snap search. It is a widespread problem," Holness lamented.

The National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) and the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) have backed the decision taken by the ministry.

NPTAJ President Sylvester Anderson said violence in schools must be stamped out.

"Our opinion is that a child ought not to have any weapon at all in school," Anderson said. "And if the child is found with the weapon, then the matter should be reported to the authorities and the law (be allowed to) take its course."

JTA President Ena Barclay said, "Every measure that can be taken to ensure the safety of teachers, while on the compound, we have to endorse it."

Holness said the response from his ministry would be system-wide and he would be seeking the support of the Ministry of National Security and the commissioner of police.

Exercise caution

The National Secondary Student Council (NSSC) has, however, asked that caution be exercised in carrying out this mandate.

Kemesha Kelly, NSSC president, said that, while the council was not against the mandate, it must be understood that some students carry weapons to protect themselves as their communities are violent.

"These are the stories we hear from our peers," Kelly said.

"We hope that this move is not only about penalising the student, but about rehabilitation and resocialisation to make that student better," she argued.

Current investigations

With regard to a recent incident at the Garlogie Primary Schoolin Manchester, the education minister said two persons have already been charged by the police.

He has also requested that the police investigate allegations that a parent invaded the Ocho Rios High School and threatened a teacher.

Holness said if the allegations are confirmed, he wants criminal charges brought against the parent.

That incident prompted Holness' demand that schools report all disturbances to the education ministry.

In addition to the new reporting requirements, the ministry's minimum safety guidelines will address areas such as access to schools.

The ministry is to spend millions of dollars to improve perimeter fencing at schools.

Holness said the safety guidelines would also set out clear rules to govern the searching of students.

"We have said clearly, no physical contact in the search, all searches must be gender-appropriate and all searches must take place with more than one person present."

Holness said the ministry would provide hand-held metal detectors for schools that want to institute a policy of regular searches.