Education Minister Anthony Garcia urges students of Success Laventille Secondary School to stand together. Addressing the boys’ classmates during a visit yesterday Minister Garcia called for the deaths of 17 year-old Denilson Smith and 15-year-old Mark Richards, not to be in vain.

Minister promised to do everything within his power to provide proper security for students but reminded pupils that unity is important. Mr. Garcia told the gathering to keep following the advice of their parents and teachers. He described children as treasures and called on the students to let their lives their deceased school mates be an inspiration to them moving forward.

Minister Garcia later noted that the mood at the school was one of sadness, regret and tremendous loss as the teens were model students. He said officials from the Ministry’s Student Support Division have been in the school, offering counselling to teachers and students.