BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN view of the escalating violence in and around schools, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas has resolved to hold discussions with relevant officials with the hope of increasing the presence of law enforcement officers in those areas.
The Prime Minister made this pledge on his last weekly radio talk show, Ask the PM, in response to a caller who expressed concern about an incident he observed in the vicinity of the Basseterre High School.
The individual explained that he saw a group of youngsters, one of whom was armed with a machete while the others had bottles and stones. He said that the young men launched attacks on each other.
He suggested to the Prime Minister that police officers or Defence Force soldiers be placed on the outskirts of the high schools so as to discourage persons from engaging in criminal activities.
Dr. Douglas said he holds the caller’s complaint as a serious one and noted that he gave ear to a similar complaint during his most recent town hall meeting in Old Road.
“We have placed security officers within the school compound and just last night I had a very similar sentiment being expressed in the town hall meeting in Old Road. A young lady was saying the same thing; children who would have left the high school compound get into very violent confrontations. And what has been recalled by this caller...is a very clear indication that we need to have security as well outside of the school in the immediacy of the school environment.”
The Minister of National Security informed that he would discuss the issue with his colleagues.
“I shall take this onboard. I shall discuss this with my colleagues, I shall discuss this with the Department of Education and see how we can continue to provide adequate security for our children in the school compound and in the environ immediately surrounding the school compound...We need to really take this matter seriously.”
Dr. Douglas made an appeal to parents to do their part in raising disciplined members of the society.
“Parents, again I ask you, please, for God sake, let us help to discipline our children. Let us teach them love. Let us tell them that (with regard to) solving problems and conflicts among themselves, the solution to this is not violent confrontation. Let us teach our children how to behave, how to be disciplined and how they can become more focussed and concentrate on the very good values of life.”
.jpg)