Education Minister Fayval Williams
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Fayval Williams
The Minister of Education has said there is an "epidemic of violence" among students across Jamaica, which needs targeted attention.
Minister Fayval Williams argued that the levels of violence being exhibited are above average and require a mental health component.
While addressing Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing, she shared details of the ministry's formal initiative aimed at ending violence in schools.
Mrs Williams said the year-long campaign, dubbed 'Just Medz It', seeks to reduce violence by, among other things, teaching and encouraging peaceful conflict resolution skills, improving school infrastructure, and providing psychosocial support to students and parents.
"Given the situation, we have to scale up our efforts quickly to have a heavy duty focus on psychosocial support for our children, especially the almost 300 children who suffer some form of abuse," she pointed out.
She cited family problems, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual abuse and violence as some of the issues affecting students.
But the task to assist them, she said, cannot only be left to the 1,198 guidance counsellors, or 139 deans of discipline, the 41 senior teachers who act as deans of discipline, or the 257 school resource officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
She said a national and multi-stakeholder approach is needed to "engender and sustain a culture of discipline and peace in our homes, schools and communities".
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