Churches must do more to support schools – Crabbe

Churches in the territory must take a more active role in schools, offering guidance and mentorship to students facing increasing behavioural and academic challenges, Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe said recently.

Speaking on the “Talking Points” radio show alongside Education Minister Sharie deCastro, Crabbe stressed the need for faith-based organisations to move beyond their buildings and engage directly with students in school settings.

“We need the churches to come outside of their buildings and come inside of our schools,” Crabbe said. “Not enough of our children go to church. Not enough of our parents make sure children go to church. So if you’re only serving the children that come through your doors, you’re missing the mark.”

The call comes amid rising concerns over student behaviour in secondary schools, particularly at Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS). Reports of weapons, drug paraphernalia, and disengaged students loitering on school premises have prompted the Ministry of Education to introduce stricter measures.

“We’re seeing knives with nunchucks on them. We’re seeing fake weapons. We’re seeing the drugs, the paraphernalia and all these different things,” deCastro stated. “Because of peer pressure, students who wouldn’t ordinarily get involved in these things are now starting to engage.”

Education officials have responded with random searches, strict enforcement of the student code of conduct, and a renewed emphasis on community involvement. Crabbe said churches can provide essential mentorship to struggling students, particularly those without strong parental support.

“In my day, anybody on the street could tell you, ‘Your socks are wrong. Stop walking with that boy.’ And you dared not. The community raised a child. But that village has really gone away,” she said.

Lunch monitors

DeCastro also urged members of the public, particularly alumni of local schools, to step up and mentor students.

“We have lunch break, which is the most critical time of the day on campus when hundreds of students are out. The schools have asked parents to come in and be lunch monitors for an hour, just volunteer your time. Come in. Just have an adult presence,” she said.

“Please, in your communities, in the schools in your communities, come out, come into the schools. We welcome you. We need your help. We want your support. And we want you. Our children need you,” Crabbe said.