BALACLAVA, St Elizabeth — The drastic decline in student enrolment at Roger Clarke High School here to just under half its previous population of 700 has Principal George Lewis worried that some students won’t return at the start of new academic year in September.

Lewis is calling on parents and guardians to ensure their children return to the classroom next month.

“Parents need to be held accountable that their child must be in school because education is guaranteed under the Child Care and Protection Act, and there are so many other Acts that demand that students be in school. Enforcement is important but too many children are on the road during school time. And it is not that [they are on] shift; they are just not coming to school,” he said.