A call has been issued by the Opposition Leader for urgent police and army patrols near schools to help address school violence.

At Cottage Meeting at the Preysal Secondary School last night, Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar said violence occurring in and near schools is among the most disturbing matters plaguing T&T.

She believes government has failed to implement any policy or programme to halt school violence.

Meanwhile, Mrs Persad-Bissessar said data from social sector investment programmes show a decrease in the number of people receiving GATE funding and enrolling in programmes like Helping You Prepare for Employment (HYPE), Multi-Sector Skills Training Programme (MuST), Civilian Conservation Corps and On-the-Job Training Programme.

She said these programmes were training the young people but without them, people are now suffering.