As a middle-aged man who graduated from Ferncourt High School in 1974, I am extremely sad that the school has made the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Ferncourt has never been one of those flashy high schools with great athletes and fanfare but it has produced some very bright and successful students. Located in the small town of Claremont, St Ann it has always been the pride and joy of the people of the garden parish.

Well, the ugly tentacles of crime have now been wrapped around the school. No one and no place shall escape. When one schoolboy decided that it was worthwhile to wear someone else's crest as a guise to enter a small town school compound to murder another schoolboy, we have to wonder if judgment is already here.

out of control

Apparently at no time during the hunt did it occur to this student to back off and let things go. This reflects a society that is out of control. One should not only follow the numerical aspect of the daily murders that are ravaging the country, but pay special attention to how these murders are committed.

These murderers go on their missions without a single fear of reprisal. They show no respect to our security forces or any other authority. The people of Jamaica suffer quietly while lives are snuffed out daily.

The faculty, staff, students and parents of Ferncourt should not allow this incident to tarnish the school's image permanently. Everyone should work together to assist the grieving parents of both students to go through this terrible ordeal. In the meantime, the school's administration should re-assess the school's security.

I am, etc.,

ALVIN BUCHANAN

alvinbis@gmail.com

Sebring, Florida