Scores of parents, students and teachers yesterday stoutly defended the government’s move to curb violence in public schools through the placement of police officers at 60 vulnerable campuses, even as Prime Minister PJ Patterson commented that it was regrettable that it had to come to this.

“I don’t know how you feel,” the prime minister began, “but when I hear the news that 60 schools will have to have policemen, I feel sad because the police should be out there having to deal with criminals; and we should have children in schools that are disciplined and are not threatened by the violence that surrounds them in the communities in which their schools are located,” he said.

He was addressing a large crowd of PNP supporters Sunday during a public session of the South West St Andrew constituency conference at the Haile Selassie High School on Payne Avenue in Kingston.

But Patrick Ashwood, the father of a grade nine student at Calabar, argued yesterday that the shame of having to resort to placing cops in schools was worth it.

“It (the programme) is good,” said Ashwood. “To how the youths are getting out of hand, it is best to have someone to guide them.”

Ruthlyn James, another parent, agreed. “If they get the co-operation of the students, I think it will work,” James said, adding that she had no concerns about the programme.”

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) yesterday launched its Safe School Programme, designed to create a safer learning environment for students.

The teacher’s union cautiously welcomed the planned move at the weekend, but said it had not been privy to the discussions to place cops at troubled institutions.

But several people lauded the programme at yesterday’s launch at the Calabar High School -one of five schools that will be targeted under the programme in the St Andrew North Division because of these school’s high incidents of violence.

Principal Captain Lincoln Thaxter said he has received positive feedback from the teachers who had already been sensitised about the programme prior to its launch.

“As long as students come here we must put a strategy in place for the violence and the ‘bad manism’ to stop,” said Thaxter. “A child extorting money from another child is not going to be a part of Calabar anymore. This is a school based on Christian morals,” he added.

Calabar has seen its share of violence, with the most recent case being the stabbing of an 11th grader in January this year. Additionally, Last October eight boys were accused of fondling a teacher, and a security guard was stabbed 13 times on the school’s compound two years ago.

The other schools in the division to be targeted include Oberlin High, New Day All-age, Constant Spring Primary and Junior High and Swallow Field Primary.

Inspector Stephanie Lindsey Clark, divisional coordinator for the programme, told the gathering that the programme would seek to rehabilitate students who continue to misbehave and are involved in acts of violence.

“It also seeks to protect children who are well behaved, but are prevented from learning because of these persons who constantly misbehave,” she said.

Under the theme “Creating a safer learning environment for students,” the programme will seek to assign a school resource officer (SRO) – a police officer – who has been sensitised to the programme. The cops will be expected to quell disputes through counselling and mentoring. They will also conduct random searches and confiscate weapons.

“I see nothing wrong with the move, the way things are now,” Oberlin vice-principal Audrey Francis,said.

Melissa Huckstable, a 10th grader , agreed with her principal.

“I think the police being here will help to cool the violent incidents and stop disputes,” said Huckstable.