Schools reopen to tears and fears
Published:Tuesday | June 8, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer
Blackboards were bare of the usual mathematics equations. Sobbing occasionally punctuated the silence. Textbooks remained curfewed in school bags.
Classes at west Kingston schools resumed yesterday but the therapy sessions were a far cry from the humdrum of hollering teachers and noisy students watching the clock run down on a steamy afternoon.
For the most part, students whose lives had been disrupted by gunfights in the area were engaged in counselling sessions to get over their traumatic experiences.
At St Anne's Comprehensive High, counsellors from the Ministry of Education had their hands full consoling students, who cried openly. A grade nine student who recounted the killing of her two uncles had to be comforted.
Janet Grant, the St Anne's principal, said individual counselling would be facilitated on an ongoing basis for affected students.
"There are some students who are just overwhelmed. They just keep crying, and some, all they want to do is just talk about the incident," she said.
Praise and worship
Over at Denham Town Primary School, teachers involved students in praise-and-worship sessions, as they tried to soothe scarred minds with songs of optimism and love.
But that didn't stop two grade one students from breaking down while being comforted by their teacher.
"I am scared and I keep remembering the things that happened in the community, but I am happy to be back at school," explained a grade six student.
The Peace Management Initiative and Sistren Theatre Collective were on spot at Denham Town High to help students recover from the trauma.
Education Minister Andrew Holness visited school plants to give support to staff and students who were affected by the violence.
His first stop was Tivoli Gardens High, but journalists were barred from entering the compound.
"Clearly, there are persons who are traumatised. The counselling unit is here and we have other resources ready to assist as well," the minister said.
Holness said he expected schools to return to full operation by the end of the week.
He added that the ministry would be assisting affected students to bounce back, particularly those who had lost possessions such as uniforms and school supplies.
The counselling unit will continue to work closely with the schools until normality is restored.
The minister's tour continued to Denham Town Primary and High schools, as well as other institutions nearby.
Teachers give support
A team from the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), led by its president, Michael Stewart, also toured west Kingston schools to give support.
Stewart assured students and teachers of Central Branch All-Age School that they could lean on the teacher union.
"We are here to lend support to the teachers and students. They have been traumatised severely and we are just here today looking at the situation and assessing what the needs are. Then we can take it from there," said the JTA boss.
Students who attend schools in western Kingston were forced to take a two-week break after the security forces carried out an operation to capture alleged drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.