Education and justice ministries renew partnership for peace in schools

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

The Ministries of Education and Justice are continuing efforts to support and promote peace in schools across Jamaica.

 

This follows the signing of an upgraded memorandum of understanding between the ministries.

 

The MOU was initially signed in May 2022 to facilitate the delivery of Restorative Practices Training in schools.

 

Education Minister Fayval Williams says the new agreement will facilitate an expansion of the programme.

 

"The Ministry of Justice through its Social Justice Division will target 500 public schools. That's about 50 per cent of the schools - the primary and high schools - and lead the training of 12,500 disciplines, including school administrators, educators, students, parents, guardians. We've actually completed training for in fact over 7,902 students, 1,109 educators and 1,034 parents," she highlighted. 

 

Minister Williams was speaking Monday morning at the signing ceremony.

 

The minister said another 150 schools will be targeted later this month.

 

The programme is a response to the increased spate of violence in schools and to meet the demands and skills needed for conflict resolution.

 

Under the programme, Restorative Justice Professionals will deliver training for two days. 

 

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said his ministry stands ready to support the safety and security needs of the Education Ministry. 

 

He offered to provide as many facilitors as necessary in schools to educate students about restorative justice. 

 

Mr. Chuck was also addressing Monday morning's signing ceremony.