These fights often happen before and after school hours.  The representatives are puzzles by the fact that some youths seem to be eager to get into fights with their schoolmates instead of focusing on getting an education.

Dwight Samuel and  Anouskha Plet who are both Youth counselors would like the government to address the issue. Plet pointed out that the minister of Justice and Police (JusPol) recently indicated that the number of police patrols around schools has been increased but that she has not noticed anything out of the ordinary. She made it clear that she wants visible police units patrolling the areas where schools are located and that the units should carry out their patrols before and after school hours. Plet would also like the government to station one soldier at each school to secure the school premises and to keep everyone safe.

Samuel pointed out that several incidents that took place on school premises made headlines recently. News reports recently indicated that two young girls had assaulted another girl on school premises. There were also reports about an underage girl who had injured another girl in the school yard. A growing number of youths are also bringing sharp objects to school. Samuel expressed shock over the fact that parents do not check the schoolbags to find out if their children are bringing sharp objects such as knives and screwdrivers to school. He urged youths to refrain from bringing weapons to school. The youth counselors urged the minister of JusPol and the minister of Education, Science and Culture to launch programs aimed at encouraging the nation’s youths to study and to steer clear from violence. “Information about violent behavior should start at kindergarten so that the pupils can become aware of the consequences. Pupils and students who have committed a crime must also receive counseling and not just a slap on the wrist. Some of the youths tend to cross the line regularly when they realize that they will not get punished. There are also youths who turn their life around,” said the youth counselors.