Youth leave school for fear of violence – Antigua Tribune

Prime Minister Browne expressed deep concern about the rising trend of school dropouts among under-16s, attributing this to growing fears of gang violence. The Prime Minister’s comments shed light on the serious impact gang feuds have on communities, particularly young people, who are increasingly caught in the crossfire of these violent conflicts.

Prime Minister Browne highlighted the alarming rise in gang-related violence in several communities, citing frequent incidents of “chopping ups” in which young individuals are seriously injured. These violent confrontations, often rooted in long-standing feuds between rival youth gangs, have resulted in innocent teenagers becoming unintended victims. The Prime Minister pointed to a particularly harrowing incident in which a young person was slashed from his temple to his chin and stabbed twice, illustrating the brutality of these conflicts.

One of the most worrying aspects of the situation, Prime Minister Browne said, is the growing number of students who are dropping out of school for fear of being targeted by gangs. He noted that young people as young as 14 and 15 are choosing to stay away from school to avoid being targeted by violence. “They feel that if they go to school, they will be targeted,” he said, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Some have narrowly escaped injury, while others have not been so lucky.

The Prime Minister also discussed the worrying trend of non-criminal youth joining gangs, not out of a desire for violence, but as a misguided attempt to seek protection. These youth believe they are joining a gang to be protected from attacks by rival groups. However, this decision often backfires, as their association with a gang makes them a target for other gangs. “They are still not being protected,” Browne warned, stressing that the perceived safety of joining a gang is an illusion.

Prime Minister Browne expressed concern that the growth of these gangs, fuelled by the recruitment of innocent youth seeking protection, could lead to a vicious cycle of violence and further destabilisation of communities. The trend of increasing school drop-outs poses a significant threat to the future of the country’s youth, as education is crucial to their development and prospects.

Prime Minister Browne called for urgent action to address the underlying issues that drive young people into gangs and out of school. He stressed the need for community support, law enforcement intervention and educational initiatives to break the cycle of violence and ensure all young people feel safe to pursue their education. The Prime Minister’s message serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching impacts of gang violence and the importance of protecting the future of the nation’s youth.