MONTEGO BAY, St James– South St James MP Derrick Kellier wants to expand Anchovy High School in a bid to end its shift system.

“We need to get additional space for construction of classrooms. We have already identified some additional lands. I have spoken to the head of the National Housing Trust who owns the lands adjoining the school,” he said at the school’s awards banquet last week.

The shift system has long been blamed, in part, for the breakdown in discipline as it shortens the school day and faciliates delinquency.

According to Kellier, the NHT had initially earmarked the land for the construction of 200 houses but the project fell through over drainage concerns.

The banquet, which was staged at the Native Restaurant in Montego Bay, celebrated 119 students who passed four and more subjects in the Caribbean Examination Council exams earlier this year.

Among the more noteworthy was Leroy Rowe, who passed nine subjects. Twelve students passed eight subjects each; 14 passed seven; 20,6; 36, five and 36 four each.

Applauding the school which ranked 7th in Mathematics and 8th in English Language island wide, Kellier said the school’s achievement was tremendous given its realities for ” certainly quality performance”.

“…Anchovy does not fall in what was usually in inverted commas, called elite schools, but now it ranks right up there among the best in the island. And it has to do with those who have done tremendous work over the years”.

But Calvin Brown, chairman of the school’s Board of Governors, expressed worry that “the culture of violence that has overtaken our school system does not continue to rear it’s ugly head at Anchovy”.

“The board of Governors along with the administration is sending a message that we will not be tolerant of students who feel they can come with badmanism… with knives.. to fight or to (loiter) at the gate…,” he declared.