HEAD of the Clarendon police, Superintendent Deighton Henry, says parents and teachers should unite to help to rid the nation’s schools of untoward behaviours, arguing that the involvement of more persons would ensure a safer school environment.

According to Superintendent Henry, the society has become so ruthless and it would only take the collaboration of all the stakeholders involved to keep the institutions safe.

“Things have become so tough, our students are a part of a wretched society… parents, teachers, educators and law enforcement officials are very much concerned,” Henry said.

“Creating a safe school requires planning, it is not just a matter of locking all the doors. School safety has to become everyone’s responsibility,” he added.

Henry, who was the guest speaker at the May Pen Primary Annual Staff Dinner held recently at the Big Acres Restaurant in Four Path, Clarendon, urged teachers to be proactive in their approach to stamp out decadent behaviours from within the boundaries of the school.

“Ensure that the school has a secure perimeter fence. Ensure that everything that is illegal off-campus is illegal on campus. We must not only talk the talk, but walk the walk,” the Clarendon crime boss said.

“Teachers, we can’t sit back and allow crime to damage our students. You should also encourage students to maintain a good learning environment. Encourage students to share information on at risk youths,” Henry said to rousing applause from a roomful of teachers.

Only two weeks ago, a 14-year-old student of the Rhodes Hall High School was stabbed to death by one of his peers outside the school gates. In October, 16-year-old Ferncourt High student Garron Jones died from stab wounds inflicted by a Marcus Garvey High student.

With this in mind, Henry pleaded to the teachers to eliminate gang-like behaviours in schools.

“Require all students to tuck in their shirts to keep them from hiding weapons — this, as we all know, will also mold our boys into good gentlemen. Stop them from wearing this ‘spangy pants’,” Henry said to more applause. “Establish a process of identification with proper ID badges for students and administrators.”

He also encouraged parents to get involved in the daily activities of their children by making unannounced visits to their children’s schools, while becoming familiar with their friends.

“Become a member of the school’s parents teachers association. The more you are involved the safer your child will be,” he urged.

“Visit the schools more often. Get to know your child’s friends and their families. Get to know your child’s teachers, as only healthy relationships between all the parties involved will make the schools safer,” he added.

The senior cop said while there were no violent incidents in the school in his parish in 2009, the police seized 181 offensive weapons from students.

“…And we will continue these searches at the bus stops and taxi stands to ensure that we keep our students from injuring each other and other individuals,” he warned.

The May Pen Primary Annual Staff Dinner also facilitated the recognition of eight teachers for their outstanding services to the institution. They are Principal Stewart Morgan, Vice-Principal Gradle Nicholson, Jacquelyn Watson, Dotty Allen, Annette Williams, Valentine Manning, Marsha Miller and Monica Lopez.