CPFSA urging parents to check children's schoolbags for prohibited items

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) is urging parents to be more vigilant in checking the items that their children take with them to school.

The call follows an incident at Ocho Rios High School in St Ann on Monday in which a female student was reportedly accidentally shot in the leg by another student who brought a gun to school in his schoolbag.

"This was a very traumatic incident for the 12-year-old student who was shot. Fortunately, she has only sustained a flesh wound to her thigh, but this could have ended much worse," said Laurette Adams-Thomas, CEO of the CPFSA.

"It is imperative that parents be more vigilant about checking their children's bags before they go to school, to prevent them from taking dangerous or inappropriate items with them, be it weapons, pornographic materials or drug-related items.

"These things do not only put your child at risk, but can also endanger the lives of other children and teachers at the school. You might not get the chance to check their bags every day, but checking them regularly and randomly will assist in deterring children from trying to sneak these items to school,” she continued.

Adams-Thomas said the CPFSA is currently offering psychosocial support to the female student who was shot.

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