Principals renew call for social workers in schools

Monigue Grange, Assistant News Editor
the Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

President of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary High Schools, Sharon Reid is renewing calls for social workers to be assigned to schools, to assist administrators in dealing with students who portray delinquent behaviour.

The call is being made in relation to police reports which indicate that more than 600 weapons have been taken from students since January.

Reid noted that while resources are limited in the educational sector more focus should be placed on the emotional and social needs of children.

She pointed out that the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre is also another major problem as students often congregate there and participate in illicit behaviour.

The school principal says proper measures must be implemented to supervise and monitor students at that facility.

Reid said there also needs to be a structured disciplinary system to be used in all schools to help curb deviant behaviour.

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