SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — The leadership of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), where 12 pupils were expelled after multiple fights sparked a two-day lockdown last month, has issued a stern warning that students who behave badly will be asked to leave. A tough-talking Principal Keith Wellington lay down the gauntlet, Thursday, during the institution’s graduation ceremony. Minister of Education Dr Dana Morris Dixon, who was present, endorsed his call for parents to ensure their children remain disciplined.

“There was an incident just about five weeks ago on the campus, and that incident was something that we do not ever want to see happening here again. In the presence of the minister and the board chairman I am going to make it public so I hope it never happens that your child is involved in anything like this,” Wellington told his audience.

Stressing that the school has a responsibility to provide a safe environment, he gave the minister a chance to say if she disapproved of the stance being taken.

“Anyone who jeopardises the safety of any other member on this compound/campus will not be welcomed here… There is a recourse for parents and students who are excluded from school, so if I am wrong the minister can correct me,” the principal stated.

“If your… children are unwilling or unable to comply with the requirements of this school, [on] the standards that we have tried to build on a whole, they are not going to be welcomed here… We are a school that is supposed to teach. Teaching and learning means that there should be a change in behaviour, and so we are not [removing] ourselves of the responsibility to ensure that students who don’t know how to behave learn to behave,” Wellington added.

He pointed to another school which has taken a similar approach.

Principal of St Elizabeth Technical High School Keith Wellington addressing the institution’s graduation ceremony, Thursday, in Santa Cruz. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“We are not taking away the responsibility from ourselves, but we believe that, as a school, we do the things that are necessary to teach students and where they fail to learn, there is a prominent school in Montego Bay whose motto is ‘Learn or leave’, as simple as that,” he said.

He gave parents a commitment that the school’s reputation will be protected.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon addressing St Elizabeth Technical High School’s graduation ceremony on Thursday in Santa Cruz. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“We will continue to make STETHS a safe place for your child. We will continue to make you proud of the uniform that your child wears; and secondly, those who cannot live up to the standards that we expect of them will be uncomfortable here, or will not be here any at all,” added Wellington.

In response, the education minister urged parents to play their part.

“Parents, I need you to support the school administration like the Ministry of Education will be supporting the school in saying we have a zero tolerance for violence. There is no room for violence in an institution like this or any institution, and so I support the school administration in doing what they have to do in making a difficult choice, because we have to maintain the standards at this [school],” she said.