Back after booting

A student who was expelled from a prominent high school last month because of behavioural issues is now back at the institution.

This after school officials were informed by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Youth that the child had successfully completed the Child Diversion Programme and received commendations.

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck, after being told about the plight of the 15-year-old student last month, expressed concern and told The Gleaner that he would be asking Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams to ask the school to reconsider its decision.

Last week, Chuck said he informed the minister of the situation, and he was informed that when the Ministry of Education officials contacted the school, they were told that the school was not aware that the student had successfully completed the Child Diversion Programme.

“The school revisited the matter and has allowed the child to continue in school because from all indication, his participation in the programme was very successful. The programme is one of the Ministry of Justice’s services to assist children who get in trouble with the law to get back on the straight and narrow path,” Chuck told The Gleaner yesterday.

The student’s father had complained bitterly to The Gleaner earlier this month that he was shocked that after his son completed the programme, he was barred from going back to school. He said then that he was told to find another school or he could send his son to evening classes at the same school.

Chuck was then contacted on the issue and gave his assurance that he would intervene in the matter.

Charged with assault

It was reported that the student and an older student were involved in a fight with another student, who received minor injuries. They were charged with assault and taken before the Children’s Court last year. The judge ordered the two students, whose ages at the time were 14 and 16, to participate in the Child Diversion Programme.

The students attended the programme, which lasted for about eight months, while also attending school. When the boys returned to court, the judge, the child diversion officers, as well as the police were pleased with the boys’ successful completion of the programme and their commendations.

The fathers, who are both farmers, said they attended the programme with their sons. They said they benefited from the programme and had seen great improvements in their sons’ behaviour.

However, a few weeks before the start of this school year, the father of the 15-year-old boy said he was shocked and disappointed when he was informed that his son had been expelled from school. He said it was difficult to find another school at such short notice and added that it would be very difficult for him to find the fees of $18,500 for each subject for evening classes.

“The programme gave my son a chance, and the school failed him,” the father commented at the time.

The other student, who is now 17, was successful in passing one subject, which was agricultural science, but he is now working and attending evening classes, his father said.

Commenting further yesterday, Chuck described the programme as extremely successful and said he wanted to thank the judges and the police who refer the children who get in trouble with the law to the programme. He said the children benefited tremendously from the programme and that there are testimonies from many youth that they are better persons today because of the programme.

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

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