Death threats and violence in schools THE EDITOR, Sir: THE SAFETY of children in our schools and maybe in the society is no longer anybody's concern. Not the authorities who we look to for support and not the principals who we expect to give individual consideration for children when the need arises. When my child received two death threats at school it was not given the attention it should have gotten and attempts to get her placed somewhere fell by the wayside and is now growing into weeds and thorns. Those weeds and thorns if not taken out will grow to one day injure and stifle the next generation. The Ministry of Education tells you that they have no control over the decisions made by principals under the circumstances. Somebody please tell me what is wrong with that picture? I will recap some responses I got from principals and authorised school personnel on the issue: (i) "It is not that we don't have space, but they are left for people closely associated with the school and for children of teachers." (ii) "Sorry we can't help you, but I wish you all the best." (iii) "I can't seem to find your letter, but we don't have any space either; the principal is very busy and can't speak with you now." (iv) "Your case is not priority over any other case ma'am." I could go on and on. Violence has become the mainstay in our society that not even a death threat at school is seen as a priority. The point of all this is really who knows who, and abracadabra, a space is found. I know of students who have gotten spaces at some of these same schools for September, only because they know the principals or have 'contacts'. This only brings to the fore the level at which violence is treated in schools which is often left to fester until death occurs and suddenly it becomes everybody's business then; way too late for measures to be effected. My child will go back to school in September. Can she or any other child with a similar case learn under that kind of tension, walking daily and having to look over their shoulders with the thought that there can be some kind of attack. Is it not time for answers? I am, etc., CONCERNED PARENT
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