KINGSTON,Jamaica -The Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, is pleading with the parents of several hundred students who have not attended classes at Oberlin High School since last Wednesday, to send them to school on Monday.

The students have stayed home since several of their peers were “bizarrely affected” during a devotional exercise at the school which is located in Lawrence Tavern in West Rural St Andrew. Videos have circulated of the affected students, some crying, others foaming at the mouth and of some being taken for health checks following the incident.

READ: Scores of students collapse at Oberlin High

The development prompted Williams to state that her ministry had launched a probe to help determine the protocols for how devotions are conducted in schools.

In a statement on Sunday, Williams said: “Normality has returned to the school and last Friday, there was an atmosphere of calm and all categories of staff were present. Fewer than 100 students of the approximately 1500 student body turned up for classes on Thursday and Friday. Nevertheless, teaching and learning took place with those students who were present. Devotions took place earlier without any eventualities”.

She is urging parents not to miss the opportunity for their children to continue with their education.

The minister also said the ministry’s regional team will be at Oberlin High School to meet with board representatives, the principal and student welfare team to chart the way forward and to discuss the events of October 26.

“Together with our students, parents, teachers, the staff, the board and other stakeholders, Oberlin High School will thrive and prosper despite the unusual occurrence. Let us get back to school,” Williams said.