‘This is madness!’
Parents frustrated as hoaxes continue to disrupt schools
Published:Tuesday | November 26, 2024 | 12:09 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Parents who rushed to pick up their children from Meadowbrook Preparatory and High schools in St Andrew on Monday expressed frustration over the disruption caused by a bomb hoax to the students’ learning and their own work schedules.
The threat forced early dismissal at the schools, with the high sending out a notice informing parents that it would be dismissed at 10:45 a.m., urging them to pick up their children quickly as the compound needed to be cleared.
“It is most likely that your child will have to wait just outside the school gate,” read a section of the notice, which did not give details of the unfolding situation.
When the Gleaner team arrived at the school, some students were seen seated at a nearby shop awaiting transportation and their parents.
“This is madness! I know the school and emergency services have to take every instance seriously, but this is impacting the students and us adults, who have to leave work before time,” said one frustrated mother, who did not want to be identified, as she picked up her son. “Some employers are not gonna pay us for time lost and that’s just the reality.”
The nearby prep school, which is in proximity to the high school, was also being evacuated.
“We were told to pick up the students because of a bomb threat. A joke thing dis! A di kids a lose out in the long run, a day is wasted … . So that mean if tomorrow there is another bomb threat, is another day lost,” said one father.
A passing motorist, who noticed the emergency vehicles used to block the Meadowbrook Avenue and Randwick Drive intersection, raised concerns about the safety of children who may go to other places instead of going straight home.
“Whoever a do dem thing here a create destruction because is not everybody’s parent can come for them and they may go to friend yard, and we know children are not responsible at all times,” he weighed in.
Deputy Superintendent Randy Sweeney, divisional commander for the St Andrew North police, told The Gleaner that the cops were not taking the matter lightly.
Jamaica Fire Brigade personnel also responded to the threat, which follows a similar incident last Friday at the Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) on South Camp Road.
Previous bomb scares had also affected Kingston College and Campion College in May this year. A series of similar threats occurred in early November last year, disrupting activities at 69 schools, one hospital, and a court.
There has been no arrest or charge in relation to the incidents.
On Monday, the Ministry of Education expressed concern, calling the behaviour “unacceptable”.
She pointed to the significant impact on students’ learning and mental health, adding that every day of disruption means lost educational opportunities.
“The psychological toll on teachers and students cannot be overstated. The uncertainty and fear generated by these incidents are not conducive to a healthy learning atmosphere. It is imperative that we work together as a society to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for educational and personal development, free from the fear of such malicious actions,” it said in a release.