Executive director of the Family and Parenting Centre in Montego Bay, Dr Beverley Scott, speaks with Falmouth's junior mayor, Baston Galloway, while participants in the 'Generation Impact' programme look on. - photo by Richard Morais

Holland High School in Trelawny and the Trelawny Parish Council are conducting Generation Impact, a programme to expose approximately nine pupils with antisocial behaviour to hands-on planning and training to change the likely outcome of harmful behaviour.

The programme is the project of the junior mayor of Falmouth, Baston Galloway, a student of the school. Three schools are participating in the programme, including the host institution, along with Muschette and Cedric Titus high schools.

Six-year plan

The participants are required to make a six-year plan, stating how they intend to reach community acceptable goals and how they will contribute to social mobility. They were also required to visit a correctional facility and participate in a group project.

The activities of the project, which were funded by the Local Government office, will be conducted over a period of one month.

"Many of the researches conducted in Jamaica have shown that crime and violence is our most pressing concern and the town of Falmouth is not exempt from this," said the junior mayor.

The young man pointed out that the schools were microcosms of the society and, therefore, needed such a programme.

Disruptive behaviour

Along with Galloway, the other project coordinators are Pauline Reid, principal of the Holland High School, and guidance counsellor Garland McDonald.

The school representatives are also working in tandem with the director of planning at the Trelawny Parish Council, Marlette Wellington.

Youthlink attended one of the sessions at the Family and Parenting Centre in Montego Bay. The centre's executive director, Dr Beverley Scott, stressed that more emphasis has to be placed on the family to curb some of the children's disruptive behaviour. She said often times, emphasis is placed on other areas to the detriment of the real problem.