By Petulia Clarke, Staff ReporterTHE BOARD of the National Youth Service (NYS) will meet next month to review its recently completed truancy camp for young boys, and make concrete decisions on the feasibility of a second camp.
Reverend Adinhair Jones, NYS' acting executive director, told The Gleaner that the plans, which include introducing a camp for delinquent girls, are in the NYS' corporate proposal which will be assessed at the meeting.
HIGH PRAISES
He had high praises for the first camp at Nutshell, Trelawny, last September, from which 115 teenaged boys were reportedly "transformed into changed young men."
While at camp they completed a month-long programme aimed at helping them deal with a wide range of disciplinary problems. The camp mastered techniques such as punctuality, deportment, general carriage, dress and personal development to instil discipline. Counselling, conflict resolution and courses in the creative arts and expression were also part of the programme.
PROGRESS AFTER CAMP
Rev. Jones said that since the end of the camp none of the boys who had exhibited behavioural problems had "acted out" and all were back in school and were undergoing mentoring by a trained mentor.
"They attend regular workshops, and no violent displays have been exhibited since the camp," he said. He said that the boys' progress will be analysed for a year.
At the graduation ceremony, most of the 115 participants had said that the truancy camp was well worth it, as they were made aware of the correct way to resolve problems.
The camp was set up for 180 boys aged 15-17 from Montego Bay, Kingston and St. Andrew. However, initial hitches resulted in violent fights breaking out amongst the boys forcing administrators to call in the police on two occasions. Camp officials subsequently booted out 19 boys and an additional 23 left the camp voluntarily.
An initiative of the Ministry of Education and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, it stemmed from an increase in the incidence of violence in schools earlier last year which had sections of the society including guidance counsellors strongly supporting the establishment of 'boot camps' or 'facilities for behavioural change' as a means of solving the crisis. At that time the Jamaica Teachers Association reported at least 40 cases of violence occasioning bodily harm in schools for the 2001/2002 academic year, with four in one week.
