Education Ministry investigating another private school for foreign children

Education Minister Fayval Williams today revealed that her Ministry is investigating another private facility that caters to foreign children in Jamaica.

Williams made the disclosure while responding to questions at this morning's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

She did not state the nature of the probe.

Further, she declined to name the institution or where it is located, only noting that the education ministry is aware of the entity and that it is registered with it.

This, she noted, is unlike the Treasure Beach-based, St Elizabeth private boarding school Atlantis Leadership Academy, which caters to American children.

Williams pointed out that records show that the school some time ago made enquires with the ministry but never registered.

“They operated outside of the regulatory framework,” she noted.

Last month, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, which falls under the Ministry of Education, disclosed that it removed eight American boys from the academy following an unannounced visit on February 8 during which "signs of abuse and neglect" were reportedly observed on the children. 

The academy and its founder Randall Cook have denied the allegations.

The police have since charged five men for the alleged abuse of American children at a private boarding school.

Eddison Morris, 39, 51-year-old Courtney Wiggan, 33-year-old Carson Cox, and Odane Maswell, 31, are charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, cruelty to a child and assault at common law.

A fifth person, 23-year-old Damion Herrera, is charged with cruelty to child.

They were each granted $350,000 bail in the St Elizabeth Parish Court last week and are scheduled to return to court on May 13.

Williams informed that the investigation into happenings at Atlantis is ongoing, noting that the ministry acted immediately when it became aware of the situation.

She noted that some of the children have already been returned to the United States and that the education ministry continues to monitor and provide for those who are still in Jamaica.

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