News/Sports

11-Yr-Old Student Dies After Being Called From School to Join Political Protest in St Ann

An 11-year-old primary school student reportedly died on Friday morning after students were called from school to participate in a political protest in St Ann.

Octavia Smith, a student of the Prickly Pole Primary School in Bensonton was among a group of students who were persuaded by residents to join the protest.

Octavia collapsed and died as she excitedly ran with other students to join the protest.

A member of the school board was allegedly involved in organising the protest.

  

Minister of Youth and Culture – Lisa Hanna has expressed her sadness and disapproval at the untimely death of the student.

Image via sharedjustice.org
Image via sharedjustice.org

According to the Observer, Hanna stated:

“I am sending a very strong message to parents, school officials and community leaders to shy away from practices that infringe the rights of our children or interfere with their overall wellbeing and also expose them to moral danger, which are both offences under the Child Care and Protection Act (CCPA). “It is indeed a sad situation, the Child Development Agency (CDA) and I have spoken with the father of the child and have conveyed to him our deepest condolences and assured him of our assistance going forward.”

If you like this article please consider joining our Forum HERE to help us grow.


Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE