Holness takes Ferncourt parents to task

The Education Minister Andrew Holness is calling for stronger action to be taken against parents’ whose children commit crimes.



Mr Holness made this statement while addressing parents of the Ferncourt High School in St Ann.



His visit to the school follows yesterday’s stabbing death of 16-year-old Garon Jones, a grade eleven student at the institution.



According to Mr Holness the attack might have been gang related, as the police have informed him that the dead student’s attackers and the others implicated are involved in a crew.



In the meantime, the education minister said he would be providing more resources to Fercourt to beef up its security arrangements.



Following a closed-door meeting with the principal and the school board, Mr Holness defended the headmaster’s safety procedures, but took issue with parents.



The education minister said some parents have not being playing their part in the school’s safety initiatives.



According to him, parent who standby and allow their children to engage in criminal activities should be hauled before the courts.



Mr Holness believes the lack of responsibility of parents has contributed to the level of violence in society.



The police are still searching for the attacker.