School administrators at Oberlin High School in St. Andrew have agreed to put general devotions at the institution on pause as was recommended by Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, during a visit to the school on Monday.
The Minister met with parents and staff at the institution, which ended school early last week Wednesday following a spiritual encounter that resulted in some students falling to the ground. According to reports, this happened during general devotion after a female teacher said “she got a message” from God and then started praying.
Minister Williams advised that devotions be kept in classrooms until the end of the school term. Administrators were admonished to keep it simple.
Meanwhile, moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) Rev. Gary Harriot said the church has been working in close partnership with the Board of Management of the Oberlin High School since what they described as the “unusual occurrence”. The co-ed institution is operated by the UCJCI.
“A support team, including ministers, has been deployed to the institution. They have been on-site from the situation transpired, providing support and counselling, and have been present at meetings held with stakeholders,” the UCJCI said in a press release.
Rev. Harriot offered assurance that the necessary steps will be taken to address the needs of students, staff, and parents who have been impacted as a result of this traumatic event in the school community.
The moderator also sought to assure the United Church’s commitment to affirming and promoting the holistic growth and development of students and staff and endorsed devotions as an integral part of the life of the school.
“We do believe we owe it to those who share in the life of our educational institutions to be exposed to such a source of positive influence, rightly, properly, and responsibly presented. We commit ourselves to this fully,” he said.