Student ‘marriage’ at school said to be far-fetched

BY LUKE DOUGLAS Senior staff reporter douglasl@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, February 06, 2012

KEY education stakeholders are throwing cold water on reports that two students got married in an unprecedented ceremony, said to be witnessed by teachers, at the Bog Walk High School, St Catherine.

Two high school principals and the president of the National Parent Teachers' Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) said they needed more information about the event at the school in which a third-form boy and a fourth-form girl reportedly exchanged vows and gold rings before a security guard, kissed openly, drank champagne and posed for video and still pictures in a 'ceremony' under a tent at the school.

Teachers were present at the "wedding" and students eagerly enjoyed the wedding cake, the Star newspaper story said last week. It said the students were known to be a "couple" at the school.

Observer efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Education and the president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) were unsuccessful yesterday. But former JTA president, Nadine Molloy-Young, expressed doubt about the story.

"It sounds far-fetched to me. I don't see it happening as how it was reported," Molloy-Young said, adding a rider that she would like to hear from the school's principal before commenting further.

The story said the principal was not at the school when the event took place and was investigating the matter.

Asked what she would do if such an occurrence took place at the Buff Bay High where she is principal, Molloy-Young stated flatly: "It couldn't happen at my school."

Showing disbelief, another former JTA president, Ray Howell, suggested that it could have been part of a school project such as a cultural, drama, literature, social studies or home management presentation.

"You have to know the context in which it took place. It could be a teaching-learning programme in which you create a real-life situation. Perhaps it was non-alcoholic drink that was served instead of real champagne," he added. "Remember, when you are acting you have to play a role consistent with the part you are playing. Anything is possible," said Howell, who is principal of Edith Dalton James High in St Andrew.

He suggested that exposing students to real-life situations could be beneficial, such as holding mock job interviews, filling out forms and preparing resumés to seek employment.

NPTAJ president, Marcia McCausland-Wilson, also wanted to hear more information before commenting in detail.

"It doesn't sound real to me," she said, "but I do know that when they are doing religion in schools they have mock weddings, so I don't know."

Under the Marriage Act, persons under the age of 18 can only get married with the consent of a parent or guardian.

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COMMENTS (6)

james allen
2/6/2012

if this sad story is true,then like the criminal prison guards and warden who ,help murderers and rapists throw a party in prison the other day,these teachers and principals should be fired right away..no wonder some of these monsters learn nothing academic,even after spending up to the age of 18 in school...the society must also wait on these useless teachers island wide to go looking for more pay ,then tell them where to go,pay them only for performance,your an island not a big country

K C
2/6/2012

Hmmm, so if this story did actually occur, Linval thinks it is ok for children to kiss openly and drink alcohol on school compounds in the presence of teachers? Maybe I am ancient, but in my high school days, Class of 2001, neither cameras nor cell phones were allowed at school. And if this story did take place, was it during school hours? Honestly, I think it is a major possibility this was a class project; similar to students taking an egg home or a dolly and having to care for it like a baby.

Anthony II
2/6/2012

A lang time mi did a hear sey a so-so big ooman an big man a guh a school; so, if dis a tru den dem diss a mek wi know wha did a galang lang time. As mi granny use fi sey, sometimes yuh haffi tek bad sinting mek laugh!
.
Surely we are not that incapable of verifying whether something such as this took place? If we really cannot, then what are they doing in schools? And then Mr. Thwaites a saaf sadda tings an a tell people how nubadi a nuh failure! Please!

0o k
2/6/2012

LOL.....it would be funny if it turned out to be true.

real southy
2/6/2012

Linval Campbell.. so even if the alcohol drinking by children on a school campus with teachers present "actually happen" you think its a non story and its not anything the education ministry should spend time on?

Linval Campbell
2/6/2012

Even if this actually happen,it is a non story as this is not legal. It is more a mock ceremony more than anything else and children will always be children,I dont think it is anything the the education ministry need to spend too much time on. If however the children move in together and are living as man and wife,then it become the parents of both student to deal with it.

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Student ‘marriage’ at school said to be far-fetched