School drop outs feeding increase of gangs across the country

At a time when the country is embroiled in a debate on the poor quality of education in public schools the growing number of school drop outs has led to a big increase in the number of gangs.
According to Manuel Zambrano, the head of Prosi (Comprehensive Security Program) the number of gangs jumped fom 216 to 240  and are largely made up of young people between 13 and 21.

The gangs are spreading from the main urban centers across the country,  operating not only in Panama, Colon and San Miguelito but have spread to Arraiján and La Chorrera and to all provinces reports La Prensa.
Panama City and San Miguelito lead the count with some 60 active gangs which likely have links with drug trafficking groups, and gangs in Honduras and El Salvador.

According to Zambrano, the increase in the number of gangs is due mainly to the growing number of school drop outs creating a "breeding ground" for recruitment by criminal groups.

"You have to do intensive work in schools, and implement strategies so that adolescent remain in the educational system," said Zambrano.

The problem of juvenile delinquency in Panama and Central America was discussed at a meeting of official said.

During a meeting, of ministers of Security and Government held in Panama, the government Panama said it will invest between $4 and $ 5 million in the coming years for prevention programs. The funds come from the United Nations and the Central American Integration System (SICA).

Panama’s representatives at the meeting said that we need to "close the valves that feed the gangs", such as lack of opportunity, social exclusion, school dropouts and lack of a youth participation policy.