Multi-School Violence Causes School in St. Andrew to Close Temporarily

The closure of Mona High School in St. Andrew due to ongoing violence among students has been a significant development, affecting the school’s operations for today and Friday.

The escalation of violence reportedly stemmed from an incident in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, on Monday, which exacerbated tensions among students in the Corporate Area schools.

In response to the tensions, the police have announced plans to increase security in and around the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre to monitor the students.

Senior Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, Commander of the St. Andrew Central police division overseeing the transportation hub, confirmed the deployment of additional police personnel to maintain order.

SSP Nesbeth emphasised ongoing dialogue between the police and educational institutions to address the situation effectively.

A disturbing video obtained by The Gleaner shows students engaging in a violent brawl that spilt onto the roadway, resulting in serious injuries.

Principal Keven Jones of Mona High School, in a notice addressing the closure, expressed concern for the students’ safety, affirming the school’s cooperation with law enforcement and ongoing vigilance over the situation.

The school apologised for any inconvenience caused by the closure and advised stakeholders to await further updates.

In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Education has reportedly intervened to manage and resolve the disturbances impacting several schools in the area.