MORE than 500 boys from high schools from five parishes will today attend a one-day conference in Kingston, aimed at addressing the high prevalence of sex among teenage students, among other issues.

The boys have been selected from some 40 high schools in Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, St Thomas and St Mary, according to main organiser Errol Rattray of the Evangelistic Association.

Rattray said the conference is now in its sixth year and each participating school has committed to sending 15 boys to the conference – seven of their brightest and eight of the troubled boys.

Today’s conference, Rattray said, is intended to affirm the good boys and encourage the other boys to emulate their behaviour. He said he recognised the need for such a conference after he saw how the boys reacted to issues surrounding sex and love.

“I knew I had to bring something for the boys so as to help them from an educational perspective,” he said.

During today’s conference, the speakers will interact with the boys on topical issues surrounding sports, music and sex.

The principals of the participating schools, Rattray said, were very receptive to the idea and have committed to sending along a teacher and a guidance counsellor to be a part of the conference.