St. Thomas Technical High worried students being sold ganja and alcohol-laced sweets

 

The Board of St. Thomas Technical High School is to engage the police to investigate reports that vendors have been selling ganja and alcohol-laced sweets to students. 

 

This follows a board meeting held at the school on Thursday where concerns about unauthorised selling during school hours and vendors contributing to traffic congestion and impeding visibility of the main roadway were also discussed.

 

The assistance of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation will also be sought to help manage the vendors. 

 

The decision of the board came after vendors complained to Radio Jamaica News and on social media about a ban which prevents them from selling to students during lunch breaks. 

 

The vendors also said that on Monday, security guards who were posted at the school gate confiscated food items that were purchased by students and disposed of them. 

 

The vendors cited that they have been prevented from selling on the school compound since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

But Board Chairman Margaret George said vendors have continued to disregard the rules of the school despite verbal warnings and meetings. 

 

"Let it be known that once our students enter the compound, they become our responsibility throughout that period until they exit, and even then, they still are. We have no problem with vendors selling their wares. However, the sale of contraband items will not be tolerated. It is alleged that there are some vendors who sell marijuana and alcohol-laced sweets to students posing a risk to health, safety and discipline," she stressed.

 

The school has erected a concrete wall that runs parallel with the roadway blocking vendors from selling to students.