Education Ministry requests report on tragedy at Saints Peter & Paul Prep

The Ministry of Education has requested a report from the administration of the Saints Peter and Paul Preparatory School in St. Andrew on Thursday's incident which claimed the life of one of the students.

Nine-year old Jeremiah Yson died from injuries he sustained when a goal post fell on him.

Audrey Sewell, the Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, says the school will be asked to present the report on Friday.

She explained that the Ministry decided to wait as it was not convenient for the information to be provided on Thursday.

"It wasn't convenient because the principal was at the hospital for most of the time and they are still a little traumatised," Mrs. Sewell said.

It was the second deadly incident involving a goal post at a school.

Last month, a student died at the Coke View Primary School in Westmoreland, when a goal post also fell on him.

Students to be counseled

The Education Ministry will Friday morning send a team to the school to provide counselling to the students, some of whom witnessed the tragedy.

"We have been in touch with our regional director who has mobilized the regional counseling team to assist them in dealing with the trauma because some of the (students) witnessed what happened," Mrs. Sewell added.

RJR News has also been informed that the school will end one hour early Friday afternoon.

SDF to review design, construction & installation of goal posts in JA

And Olivia Grange, the Minister of Sports has asked the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) to do an investigation and recommend new standards for the design, construction and installation of goal posts in Jamaica.

A statement from the Ministry said the SDF has expertise in sports infrastructure development and will be able to recommend standards that address safety concerns relating to equipment.

Ms Grange said the SDF will share the findings and recommendations with schools, clubs and community centres so that tragic incidents do not recur.

In an immediate response to the Minister’s request, David Mais, the Chairman of SDF, said a technical team, involving the Foundation's staff, the Institute of Sports and the Social Development Commission will meet next week to prepare an action plan.