MONTEGO BAY, St James — In an effort to strengthen the Safe Schools Task Force within the parish, the St James Police Division is looking at adding representatives from the Family Court and the National Child Diversion Programme ahead of the next school term.

“We want to ensure that it’s all-encompassing so that if students get in trouble with the law, we can get that data and we get that analysis from the courts to ensure that we can create a better learning environment for them and know how we approach the welfare of the child in question,” officer in charge of the division, Superintendent Eron Samuels explained in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

The task force currently consists of representatives from the Ministry of Education and Youth, security personnel, deans of discipline and principals of schools.

The senior cop stressed that the focus is not on cracking down on offenders but ensuring that their educational needs are met as they deal with whatever challenges land them on the task force’s radar.

“Even though they may be in conflict with the law, they still have a right to education, so we have to know what we are doing,” he said.

There has been a spate of violent incidents in and near schools over the years but this year has been particularly jarring for some. In April, for example, there was the murder of Irwin High School student Raneil Plummer — allegedly at the hands of a fellow student — as he left the St James school.

“We are looking at the different programmes that we can put in the schools to ensure that these interpersonal conflicts, the influences that are there, we get those out to create that learning environment that they would appreciate and need,” Samuels said.

Among these efforts is a recently launched initiative geared towards getting more students interested in technology.

“In some schools we already have the drone pilot training programme which will see students who are members of police youth clubs in schools, or the cadets, become a part of these programmes,” the cop explained.

“What we want to do is divert them to the positive groups within the school so that they can get the opportunities through these positive groups,” Samuels added.

While he acknowledged that the drone programme will provide participants with useful skills, he pointed out that the overall goal is to influence behavioural change.

“Yes, the opportunities will be there but it’s not about becoming a drone pilot, it’s about looking at their overall discipline, how they interact with their peers and how they interact with adults,” said Samuels.

He is hoping students will be able to transition to productive and peaceful lives outside of the classroom.

“Education really gives you the foundation for everything, so we want to ensure that they are able to learn in a safe learning environment. We also want them to understand that school isn’t only about socialising but it’s about ensuring that you give yourselves the best chance to move forward,” stated Samuels.

To complement these efforts he is hoping deficiencies in some school’s infrastructure — such as inadequate perimeter fencing — will also be addressed.

“We want to ensure that intruders can’t trespass, so when school is in session, students and teachers alike can be safe,” he said.