‘No sex,’ educator warns students

Principal of Ocho Rios High School Marvin Clowson believes that a fourth-form supervisor telling students to abstain from sex is sage advice.

The supervisor was addressing students during an orientation day speech on Thursday and told the children, "Students, remember, no sex".

Clowson said the advice was to urge the children to keep their guard up, especially now that they are operating from home.

"The mere fact that they are not in the physical class or school setting whereby the first hands on guidance can be provided, we have to still play our part and give them those constant reminders since they are not in our midst," Clowson told THE WEEKEND STAR.

He added: "Even in the homes, you have children being guided by parents, and they tell them you are not expected to do this or that. But when the parents are around, they will conform. But when they are away, some will do otherwise. It is just the same with teachers and students, but it is important that we continue to guide them."

Control the spread

In March, all schools were forced to close their doors in an attempt to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. Since then, children have been attending classes virtually, which is expected to continue when the new school term starts on Monday.

Clowson said that Ocho Rios High School is looking to involve guidance sessions as part of its online curriculum.

"Come next week, my guidance counsellors will be meeting with students online at different grade levels to guide them along because they are still our children and we want the best for them. COVID-19 is already pressuring for them, and we want them to keep their heads above the water and achieve greatness just the very same," he said. "Our teachers love, respect, and guide our students, so it is just out of an abundance of care that we give certain advice because we are trying to guide them just the very same way."