The Sint Maarten police forces (KPSM) have intervened for eleven fights in schools since the resumption of classes after the Christmas holidays on January 3.
These fights between schoolchildren are increasingly violent, with in particular a boy who was stabbed by another student. These latest fights coupled with those of the 2022-2023 school year number more than thirty, counting only those that have been officially reported to the authorities.
The Sint Maarten OM SXM Prosecutor's Office and the KPSM are very concerned about the increase in the number of fights which are escalating in a truly dangerous way and which unfortunately can end in a fatal way at some point. The use of lethal weapons is almost predominant in most fights.
Another notable aspect is that spectators encourage, film and publish these fights on social media.
These fights take place on and off school premises. The roots of fights and increased violence originate while students are at school, for various reasons, and escalate into physical fights.
The prosecutor's office recently held an emergency meeting regarding the school-related fights with the KPSM community police, the youth and morals department, the youth probation department, the guardianship court , the truancy department, and with representatives of secondary schools located in St. Peters and Reward. Representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Transport TEATT also attended the meeting.
Stakeholders discussed the situation and shared possible ways to address it. They discussed the issues that cause fights at school, such as the alleged increase in cyberbullying (both openly and anonymously), drug use among young people, extortion among young people, the need for parents to take responsibility for their children's behavior at school and in the community, and the need for parents to be more actively involved in school.
Stakeholders said the upsurge in fights with an increasing level of violence is worsening despite police campaigns in schools, increased patrols and enforcement in school districts.
The problem therefore needs to be addressed appropriately and urgently by the Ministry of Education. Schools and judicial entities cannot do much without government assistance. Right now, the safety of all children who go to school every day is at stake.
The KPSM and the Prosecutor's Office remind the public, especially students, parents and guardians, of the existence of a ministerial decree currently in force which gives the police the power to act in a repressive manner against deviations from conduct of students and the community at large. _AF
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