Priest: Get rid of Govt schools

A PRIEST has called on Government to “exorcise” Government-based schools as a solution to the escalating violence in schools.  Father Clive Griffith also suggested that Government bring all schools under denominational Boards in an effort to save the education system. Fr Griffith was at the time delivering the sermon at the funeral for veteran newsman Alwyn De Coteau at the amphitheatre of Harris Prome-nade, San Fernando. Fr Griffith began his sermon by saying that crime and violence were basically spiritual problems and therefore required spiritual solutions. He said that in Govern-ment schools, little attention is paid to prayer since there is an absence of prayer books such as the Bible and Bhagvad Gita from the shelves. The priest said: “We cannot expect to train students unless God is held up before them. Society tends to forget that children do not belong to the State, but to God, and they should be instructed in the law and his ways.

The purpose of education is to train the child to be faithful to God and fill his mandate,” he thundered. Griffith told the gathering that it was time for “serious action” and made five recommendations to bring about positive change in the education system:
. all Government controlled schools should be scrapped forthwith and/or placed under denominational Boards;
. a national restoration agenda put in place to restore family values;
. exorcism as an immediate and urgent measure in schools by members of the clergy;
the Parent Teacher’s Association must be broadened to student-church representation;
. clear support is needed for Sunday School for life training and national training.
Father Griffith made his suggestions before the gathering which included Community Development and Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams,  San Fernando West MP Diane Seukeran and San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly.