We can’t just throw student to the dogs

08.June.07

Editor: I write this letter in response to the views published in The News newspaper on Friday, June 1st, voiced by Mr. Parnel Campbell QC. Mr. Campbell was quoted as saying “Drug dealers should be thrown out of school”. He is also credited with calling for the expulsion of students who take weapons to school.{{more}}

While these suggestions may seem like the best idea, and some rush to clamorously endorse them, do we really understand the implications of such actions? I think not.

To expel the students will do what? Sure, it will remove a percentage of the problem from the school which the student attended but the problem will them be relocated to another school or worse, to the streets!

This myopia shown by Mr. Campbell QC is alarming. We cannot simply relocate the problem it must be dealt with head-on. Why do students bring weapons to school? Why do they deal drugs? Wanton expulsion of our future will not answer these questions.

I think there needs to be a more rehabilitative programme in mind for the wayward youth. It angers me when persons outside the school system (yes you Mr. Campbell) preach their hearts out and endorse the cutting out of lungs to cure bronchitis. It saddens me when I see classmates, out on the street living the life of crime, thrown out of school with not a single iota of rehabilitation in their veins. Should the schools share any of the blame?

There are numerous factors which influence them but if the Ministry and all those in charge accept Mr. Campbell’s proposal and simply throw the students out to the dogs, then blood shall be on their hands too.

I wonder who will take the students in when they are expelled… certainly not Parnel. Rather they will be devoured by the wolves of society and get a permanent reinforcement of the “Babylon” mentality.

So help us students. Install your metal detectors; sure, I personally think the students’ help centre is a great idea. But if the problem of drugs and weapons cannot be addressed within the school system, then I doubt it will be effectively remedied outside.

Pseudonym