Grange Hill Primary continues online classes as fear grips community

By Kimone Witter    

 

Classes at Grange Hill Primary School in Westmoreland are online for a second day as tension from gang violence continues to grip the community.

 

It was expected that face-to-face classes would resume at the primary and high school on Thursday following Tuesday's disruption.

 

Parents from the primary school had reported receiving threats of violence against the school and had rushed to collect their children.

 

A major police/military operation was launched in Grange Hill on Wednesday and the head of Area one, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifford Chambers said members of the security forces have increased their presence in the area.

 

But, speaking Thursday on Morning Agenda on Power 106, Principal of Grange Hill Primary School Clayton Smith said further reassurance is needed from the police before a sense normality is returned.

 

"At this time we are having a tense calm within the community. Fear is still there and the parents are somewhat reluctant to send their children out in this kind of condition. The teachers, too, are a little apprehensive and we are hoping to hear enough from the security forces that will help us to be reassured that any occurrence of violence will not take place within our space," he said. 

 

Mr. Smith is hoping that face-to-face classes will resume on Monday.