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Following a spate of violent incidents at government schools in recent weeks, the largest religious body in The Bahamas has formed a 10-member committee to develop strategies to ensure that peace prevails on all campuses throughout The Bahamas."Apart from praying for the violent atmosphere around schools to change, we have developed a committee that would allow churches to adopt schools for the next three months, to offer counseling as well as spiritual instruction," said Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop John Humes yesterday.In addition to offering religious guidance to students, the newly-formed committee, headed by Dr. Victor Cooper of the New Bethany Baptist Church, will also visit the homes of students to develop relationships with their parents. The committee, upon completing its adoption program, will submit a final report with its findings to the Ministry of Education."We are hopeful that this committee can effect a positive change," Humes said. It's not a band-aid approach and we want to do something that would bring forth results."Just last week, BCC members moved from the comfort zones of their churches and visited several government schools to pray for teachers and students as several violent acts erupted on campuses shortly after the beginning of the school year. A teen at the A.F. Adderley Junior High School was stabbed and another stabbing incident was reported at the C.I. Gibson Senior High School. A biology teacher at the R.M. Bailey Senior High School was also the target of an alleged altercation with two male students, prompting teachers at that school to stage a six-day sit-out until more security was posted on the Robinson Road campus. And just earlier this week, a C.C. Sweeting Senior High School student was hospitalized after getting into an altercation near to the school's campus.But while the government has moved to post 22 former auxiliary police officers, coupled with additional security measures on the campuses of troubled schools, the BCC President believes that some youngsters are not being properly disciplined at home as well as at school. He added, however, that the moral support of the church should bring about a change in the behavior of many troublesome teens."It's not a bunch of them [who are not disciplined]. It's just a small group who just would not comply with any law and order,"Humes told The Guardian yesterday. "They want to have it their way and they don't have respect for those in authority because it is obvious that there is a breakdown in the home. What they do at home they bring on campus but we are going to work with these young men and women."As in the days of Noah....
