MANDEVILLE, Manchester – Custos of Manchester Garfield Green has reiterated his call for people who are responsible for the care and protection of children to do more to recognise their vulnerabilities, rather than taking sudden decisions that steer them into being misguided.

Green, who conceptualised the Manchester Beliefs, Values and Attitudes (BVA) initiative, said he has seen worrying trends among young people.

“You may be surprised to know how many of our youth are out of school today. Bullying is one of the reasons. I know of a case right now that we are working with where a young man is not in school because he is being bullied. We have another case where a young man and his sister are not in school because the parents are just not there to guide them along the way. But what concerns me is that these children are allowed to leave school,” he said on Friday.

“One [child] was suspended from school and I asked the question: ‘Why? How will they continue to learn?’ ” he asked.

Green was addressing the media launch of a 5K event in support of Mandeville Regional Hospital’s renal unit.

He called on school leaders to be caring in how they address the behaviour of children.

“In none of the cases I have heard of the dean of discipline being involved or the guidance counsellor; it is always the decision of the principal to send a child on suspension. We are leaving those children in the wilderness at the mercy of anything that comes their way, and I am saying that we are all leaders. Our teachers are leaders, our principals are leaders, our parents and all of us here are leaders. Let us get together and save our young people,” implored Green.

He said the BVA programme, aimed at facilitating attitudinal change and social revitalisation, continues its outreach.

“We have helped misguided youth, people to be in school and to rethink their decisions and choices of life,” said Green.

“We need them to continue building on this nation, we need them to take this nation further, and if we send them home without any care… I say it all the time: People cry out for help in many ways so when you see a child misbehaving in school, carrying a knife, or using expletives that child is saying to you, ‘I need help,’ ” he added.