Second chance plea

A father is distraught after learning that his 15-year-old son, who was charged with a minor offence last year, has been barred from attending a prominent high school despite his successful completion of the Child Diversion Programme for which he received commendations.

“The outcome is extremely disappointing and I am going to ask the school to reconsider its decision [and] to allow this child to reintegrate because I know that on many occasions students who have completed the programme have been able to influence good behaviour amongst their peers,” Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck said last week.

Chuck, who was asked for a comment on the issue, said further that “this programme of the Ministry of Justice has proved to be very useful, beneficial and successful in virtually every case”.

He said he would also be asking the Ministry of Education and Youth to assist in the matter.

The father, who was informed a few weeks ago of the school’s decision to bar his son from regular classes as a result of his previous disciplinary issues, questioned where was the “second chance, mercy and leniency in the matter” after his son went through the rehabilitation programme recommended by a judge.

It was reported that the expelled student and an older student were involved in an altercation with another student who received minor injuries. The matter was reported to the police and the students were arrested, charged and taken before the Children’s Court last year.

An order was made by the judge for the two accused students, one who was 16 years old at the time and the other 14, to participate in the Child Diversion Programme.

The fathers, who are both farmers, told The Gleaner last week that they attended all the sessions with their sons and have praised the programme for the positive effect it had on the boys. They said they too have benefited from the programme.

The students were attending school while attending the sessions, which lasted for about nine months, they said.

In outlining his shock and disappointment, the father of the now 15-year-old said he was informed by the school a few weeks before the start of this school year that he had two options for his son. One was to find another high school for the student to attend and the other was for him to attend evening classes at the same high school.

“I almost collapsed when I was told the disappointing news. The cost for one subject at evening classes is $18,500 and right now I cannot afford the fees because my son would have to do at least three subjects. My son was on the PATH programme at high school but to find that amount of money for evening classes is difficult for me.

“The other option is to find another high school at such short notice and that is a very difficult and complex matter. I am at a loss as to why my son cannot be given a second chance. Where is the mercy that should have been extended to my child? The programme is a very good one and has helped my son and I cannot understand why the school officials are giving up on my son, instead of helping him to achieve his goals in life,” the father pondered.

“The programme gave my son a chance and the school failed him,” said the bewildered father who disclosed that he had even bought uniforms for his son to return to school when he received the “tragic news”.

It was reported that, at the end of of the rehabilitative sessions, a report was presented to the court. The report stated that the student successfully completed the programme and was commended and awarded for his consistent participation, focus and interest. The essay the judge gave him to write on the topic of where he saw himself in the next 10 years has been reported to be very impressive and well done.

According to an official, the judge was very impressed with the progress report of transformation of the students and also commended them and gave them sound advice. Those who were in court were elated to hear how well the student had done.

“Now news of this student being kicked out of school comes as a shock and must be disappointing to those who worked with him in the programme and, from the glowing report that there is great potential in him,” the official remarked.

The other father said his son was giving problems, but has been transformed into a better person because of the programme.

“He was successful in passing one subject, which was agricultural science, but he is now working and is going to evening classes so he can pass more subjects and achieve his goals in life,” he disclosed.

The programme, he said, has not only helped his son, but has also “helped me a lot to see things from a different angle and how to deal with certain situations when they arise”.

He added, “This programme has taught me and my son to walk away from situations and to be more peaceful.”

The Child Diversion Act came into effect in 2018. The CDA programme was implemented in March 2020 and is aimed at steering youngsters in conflict with the law away from the criminal justice system. It targets children ages 12 to 17, providing them with the individualised diversion programmes tailored to their needs.

editorial@gleanerjm.com