2 Drilly gang meeting with PM Browne last week.
Education Minister Advocates for Gang Members’ Reintegration Into Schools
Education Minister Daryll Matthew has announced that the government is working to reintegrate former gang members into schools.
His remarks came during a parliamentary debate on the Anti-Gang Bill 2024, where he highlighted the crucial role education plays in helping young people escape the cycle of crime. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
Minister Matthew speaking on the need for intervention, explaining that many of the youths involved in gangs were not inherently criminals but were often forced into that life due to fear and lack of alternatives.
“A lot of those youngsters involved in Gang Related activity don’t want to be in gangs,” Matthew stated. “We need to ask why they got caught up in this activity and how education can provide a way out.”
The Minister revealed that many gang members expressed a strong desire to return to school during recent discussions with the government.
According to Matthew, some of these young men dropped out of school not because of poor academic performance, but due to fears of retaliation and violence from rival gangs.
“They’ve joined gangs for protection, not because they want to commit crimes,” he explained. “They were afraid to go to school and face reprisals.”
As part of the government’s strategy to help these young individuals reintegrate into society, Matthew confirmed that efforts are underway to place members of both major gangs into educational institutions.
“We are working to facilitate their return to school because they deserve a second chance,” he said.
It was revealed later in the parliamentary debate that man of them will be place at the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education (ABICE).
The Minister commended the leadership of Prime Minister Gaston Browne for taking the initiative to meet with gang members personally, a move that has gained attention across the Caribbean. “The Prime Minister took the time to sit down with them, listen to their concerns, and offer them a way out. That level of leadership matters,” Matthew emphasized.
He also noted that the discussions with gang members revealed deep-rooted issues that go beyond criminal behavior, including feelings of isolation and limited opportunities. Many of the youths indicated that they could not even enjoy simple activities, like going to the cinema or downtown St. John’s, due to fear of rival gangs. This, Matthew argued, highlights the urgent need for educational and social interventions to prevent young people from being drawn into gangs in the first place.
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The Minister’s call to action reflects the broader goals of the Anti-Gang Bill, which seeks to create not only a punitive framework for dealing with gang-related offenses but also pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration. “It’s not enough to criminalize these young people,” he stated. “We have to provide them with alternatives, and education is one of the most powerful tools we have to do that.”
While the reintegration plan has been met with support from various sectors, it also raises important questions about the safety of schools and how they will accommodate former gang members without disrupting the learning environment for others. Matthew acknowledged these concerns, praising the efforts of teachers and administrators who have already been addressing gang-related issues in schools, and vowed that the government would work closely with educational institutions to ensure a smooth transition.
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