THE Government of Jamaica’s Citizen Security Plan, supported by the European Union (EU), is showing remarkable success at Denham Town High School through the Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy (ISSS).

Principal of Denham Town High School Yvette Richards-Thompson said the intervention has helped students overcome deep-seated challenges.

“Many of our students come to us carrying trauma, grief, or even hunger, and those struggles often show up as behavioural challenges,” she said.

The ISSS is designed to disrupt youth involvement in crime and violence by providing vulnerable students and their families with wrap-around services to reduce truancy, improve behaviour, and create safer learning environments, and Richards-Thompson said the school is able to give students targeted support, including case management, psychosocial sessions, and literacy intervention.

Key to the success at Denham Town High School has been the Passport to Success (PTS) curriculum under the EU Bridge Project, which delivers targeted exercises, participatory activities, and practical life and employability skills for students.

“The programme has helped me and several other students to manage our anger with better conflict resolution — learning how to be more respectful and stay focused on our goals,” said Amanda Holness, a sixth form student and former student council president, who credited the PTS programme for transforming how students view their future.

“This programme gave me the confidence to believe in myself and to pursue my dream of becoming a midwife, because I want to give back and help others the way support has helped me.”

Since the programme’s implementation, Denham Town High School has seen significant improvements in student behaviour and community involvement. Parents and residents now take part in after-school sessions facilitated by MNS trainers, giving the wider community access to beneficial resources and training.

“I must commend the European Union and the Ministry of National Security for this initiative. Since it started we’ve seen real improvements in student behaviour — fewer fights, more respect, and a willingness to reason things out instead of turning to conflict,” said Dellon Gayle, community representative on the Denham Town High School Board.

“I also want to recognise our principal, Mrs Yvette Richards-Thompson, and our dean of discipline, Mrs Christine Hews-Johnson, who have been leading the charge on behalf of the school.”

Looking ahead, Denham Town High School has set a goal for 2025-2026 to improve literacy by three grade levels across all students.

The EU’s support to the Citizen Security Plan dates back to 2020 with the signing of a financing agreement and continues to serve as a model for how international partnerships can strengthen schools and communities in Jamaica’s most vulnerable areas.