CDA to investigate Prickly Pole Primary school incident

Youth Minister Lisa Hanna has instructed the Child Development Agency (CDA) to investigate the circumstances under which a group of  students from the Prickly Pole Primary School in St. Ann was taken from the institution on Friday.

In a statement,  Hanna said she is perturbed by preliminary reports which suggest that the students were ushered onto a bus by parents and other persons to participate in a political demonstration.

It's reported that one of  the students, who was trying to join the group - Octavia Smith, 11, collapsed and died.

The CDA is to deploy a team of  first responders to provide support to classmates of  the deceased child.

Hanna says a strong message must be sent to parents, school officials and community leaders to desist from practices that infringe the rights of  children, interfere with their well-being and expose them to moral danger.