Parents should take more responsibility for fighting crime in schools, Opposition whip Cole Simons said yesterday.

Mr. Simons said the United Bermuda Party applauded the "zero tolerance'' approach to school disruption adopted by CedarBridge Academy principal Kalmar Richards.

But he urged more parents to sign up as monitors and teachers' aides to help curb violence.

Mr. Simons also believes teachers, parents and students should work together to establish a common dress code.

He said parents should be held responsible for their children's actions and be liable when the students damage school property.

But Education Minister Milton Scott said last night that parents are already liable for the actions of their children and could be taken to court if they misbehave or vandalise a school -- although this is seldom used.

He added that a written code of conduct, which Mr. Simons called for, already exists and is circulated to every parent outlining the responsibilities of students and parents.