The PASS Advisory Committee

The Programme for Alternative Student Support (PASS) is an intervention in response to the incidents of chronic maladaptive behaviours among students at the secondary level. This is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Youth & Culture (MOEYC) validated by strategic objectives two and three, which speak to supporting student achievement and securing opportunities for students to maximise their potential.

The programme is intended to provide a final opportunity for students who constantly challenge the school system by their anti-social behaviours, to reform such behaviours and complete their education. It requires that the MOEYC work in partnership with parents, related agencies and professionals to provide the kinds of interventions that may be needed.

Objectives

The objectives are to:

· provide an alternative to extended suspensions or expulsion where this is feasible and complementary to codal procedures;

· identify opportunities for professional treatment for students requiring specialised psychological assessment and/or therapy;

· assist students who have been identified by reliable means as presenting severe behaviour problems, to access the special treatment they may require;

· ensure that minimal disruption occurs in students’ education resulting from maladjustment or the concomitant treatment;

· provide school administrators with options for dealing with cases of severe behaviour problems, and

· assist parents to identify opportunities to improve their ability to facilitate the development of their children and support their education.

Implementation of the programme

For the initial commencement of the PASS, the sensitisation phase began with the hosting of seminars for the following groups:

· Principals and guidance counsellors of secondary level schools.
· The Ministry of National Security and Justice and the Ministry of Health in partnership.
· Regional directors and senior officers within the MOEYC.

Service Providers – Behavioural clinicians to whom referrals will be made.