St Andrew College fed up with indiscipline

The persistent problem of indiscipline forced the St Andrew College on Slipe Road, Kingston 5, to take strong disciplinary action and bar approximately 156 students from entering the school premises yesterday morning.

Vice-principal Sharon Sinclair told The Gleaner enough was enough and declared that the school had decided to take drastic measures.

"School begins at 7:30 a.m. and every morning they go into Mother's and loiter all morning, then waltz into school when they please," Sinclair lamented.

She said discipline has been an ongoing issue and that she and other staff members have had to regularly go for the students.

Sinclair noted that yesterday morning was the worst in recent times, with more students than usual converging on the fast-food outlet.

Inappropriate attire

In addition to the tardiness, she said she and her teachers had to be constantly dealing with inappropriate attire, including boys wearing tight pants, girls in short, tight skirts, no school crest and oversized belt buckles.

Sinclair said the offending students were eventually allowed on the school premises after their parents were asked to come to the school.

"Some parents came, but some you will never see," she added.

According to the vice-principal, the school has frequently sought the intervention of parents, the Ministry of Education, the Cross Roads police and the management of Mother's, but despite whatever action is taken, the unruly students soon revert to their old habits.

"Sometimes we have to take drastic measures. School is not here to just prepare them academically, but also for the world at large. Punctuality and discipline are important," said Sinclair.

Although a private institution, St Andrew College falls under the Ministry of Education through a memorandum of understanding and each year the ministry sends them students.

A spokesperson from the education ministry said they were not aware of the incident, but would look into the situation at the school.