Thugs invade school after student dispute

In the wake of the concerning incident at Black River High School yesterday, where a student dispute led to an invasion of the compound by outside individuals, President of the National Parent Teachers Association, Stewart Jacobs, is urging stakeholders to do a comprehensive investigation.

The preliminary reports are that persons breached the school's compound after being summoned by one student who was involved in a dispute with a schoolmate.

"The information we have is that sometime after 10:30 this morning, some students were involved in a dispute. As a result ... one of the boys reportedly left the school and later returned with other men," said Deputy Superintendent Coleridge Minto of the St Elizabeth Police Division. A school administrator told THE STAR that the principal, Roderick Harley, was in a meeting when contacted for comment.

"There needs to be a more robust investigation to ascertain exactly what happened. The parents of the school need to be satisfied and their fears availed so as to allow the smooth learning process. That's the ultimate goal," said Jacobs. He highlighted the potential repercussions of a lack of transparency, urging stakeholders to exercise prudence in sharing accurate updates.

"Sensitive information such as that ought to go directly through the principal's office. It is a matter of managing the flow of information, the quality of the information, and the actual status of the information is very important," he said.

"At this time of the year, you really don't want any disruption with the school system because the kids are getting ready for external exams... let good sense prevail."

- T.P.