Alternative-style school programmes could be housed in regular school settings said director of The Educational Centre (TEC), Declan Harris.

Speaking at the meeting of the parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Education yesterday, Mr. Harris said such programmes began as a transitional phase for students who had behavioural problems in senior and middle schools but have now become a drop-off for those asked to leave the system.

His comments formed part of a response to queries from former Education Minister Neletha Butterfield as to whether such programmes could exist in the traditional school setting.

"Senior schools are large enough to put alternative schools inside. We know for a fact there are rooms in there that are not being used. Do you think that is possible?" she asked.

The TEC director agreed: "It's very possible. It's not that it's not feasible.

"We were charged with servicing children in middle and high schools who weren't adhering to intervention.

"We had a 12-week minimum for them to come in and work on things they had issues with, socially inappropriate behaviour."

He explained 80 students were removed when the programme began in August 2001 – 40 were sent to his school and another 40 to Ms Butterfield's.

At present, there are 20 students enrolled at TEC with an average daily attendance of between 12 and 15 children.

Mr Harris said: "It was a mandate that they not return (to traditional classes). They were like 'deal with these children'. It wasn't a matter of putting up resistance. It wasn't a choice.

"I remember in 2001, one colleague said, 'All we are is glorified babysitters'. I hate to admit it, but now I feel that's what we are."

He said one of the main problems at TEC is that just about all the students smoke marijuana and possibly dabble in other drugs.

Another issue is the students aren't being given the type of help specific to their needs.

"What are we doing as a system to reach the learning needs of these students?", Mr. Harris asked the committee.

He also spoke about the proposal to increase the school leaving age from 16 to 18 years old.

"Raising the age, stakeholders will be held responsible. My numbers would be through the roof.

"Changing the school leaving age, who's going to catch these children? A lot of children fall though the cracks because their learning styles have not been met," he explained.

Mr Harris continued: "I'm not saying don't change the leaving age but are we going to have the measures to meet their needs?"

Ms Butterfield said this is the worst she has seen in her 25 years in the education system, and added: "Those going 18 today, tomorrow or January, I can guarantee you when school closes next week, they won't be returning."

Mr. Harris said the key to dealing with children with behavioural or learning problems is early intervention, that problems usually start at the primary school level and are ongoing.

He added: "You need the most talented people in the school system to work with the most difficult children."

Mr. Harris also suggested various ministries in Government – such as Social Rehabilitation, Education and Health – work together to help such children.

"We're doing these things in isolation. We need to have close connections. We're doing things in isolation when we are servicing the same clients," he said.

In response to a question from MP Lovitta Foggo, Mr. Harris explained that TEC is not an alternative school, but a programme listed under the umbrella of student services.

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons said: "You seem to have had these children dumped in your lap."

Mr. Harris agreed and said: "We should be stepping back looking at this saying, 'Is this going to affect the whole school system?' If you're confused, can you imagine sitting where I am?"

Clare Mello, executive director of YouthNet, talked about the challenge of effective communication between the Ministry of Education and the Interim Education Board (IEB). She said the two could have "collaborated more effectively and been more on the same page more often".

Gina Tucker, principal of Victor Scott Primary School also spoke at the meeting on behalf of the Principal Leadership Project Team.

Dr. Tucker explained a new concept in the school system called Lead and Learn which was implemented in September and said: "The approach wasn't to fix the principal but make sure they have the tools at their fingertips to do the best job".

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday at 1 p.m.