National Youth Parliament tackles crime

In moving a motion on youth crime, opposition leader Darshan Gopaul observed there is considerable debate in the country as to whether young people or society are to be blamed for the number of young people who fall into a life of crime, However Gopaul, a student of Iere High School, maintained, “Definitely, the youths are not to be blamed.” According to Gopaul, this country’s schools “have become the human version of an assembly line in a factory.” He explained that many schools make no allowance for individualism, the late bloomer or children coming from economically charged backgrounds.

Arguing this results in many young people being “tossed aside,” Gopaul said once a youth falls into a life of crime, it is almost impossible to get out of the system.

He said this could result in job opportunities for young people being reduced and they may even be unable to get a job as a taxi driver.

Gopaul also said young people must grapple with the stigma associated with the communities they come from. He said “the boy from Beetham” elicits a different response to “the boy from San Fernando.” He concluded his contribution by demanding the government “have more measures in place” to prevent young people from going astray and into a life of crime.

Education Minister Sonali Sooknanan of Iere High School student Darshan Gopaul makes his presentation as Opposition Leader during the national Youth Parliament debate held yesterday at The International Conference centre, Tower D, Wrightson Rd, Port-of-Spain. PHOTO BY Rattan Jadoo Hillview College spoke about the use of counsellors and mentors in schools to help troubled youths. Health Minister Michael Joseph, from Holy Cross College, said the ministry would look at mental and psychological assessments for children five years and older.

St Augustine member Crystol Nelson, from the University of the Southern Caribbean, advocated tighter gun control legislation. Nelson also expressed concern about 250 reports of violence against children to the Children’s Authority and questioned what was being done to deal with the issue of rape and sexual offences in TT.

Cumuto/Manzanilla member Reuel Mitchell, from Speyside Secondary School in Tobago, created a stir when he claimed a recent study said 713 criminal offences were committed by children between the ages of 11 and 24 years.

When Mitchell sought a three-minute extension to his speaking time, it was initially blocked by the government.

However, two government members broke ranks with the whip and another government member abstained, permitting the opposition to win the vote and grant Mitchell his additional time. Mitchell quipped that the government was trying to cut his speaking time because he was “speaking the truth.” Speaker of the House of Representatives Bridgid Annisette- George, Opposition Senator Wade Mark and Independent Senator Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir watched the youth parliamentarians from the public gallery with keen interest.