Effective policies needed to tackle student violence - Wright

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

President of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS), Linvern Wright, says Jamaica has failed to mobilise effective policy decisions that will tackle violent behaviours being exhibited by children.

 

His comment comes against the backdrop of a hike in violence across schools and the impact on both teachers and students.

 

Mr. Wright says the dangers presented to both groups is not being met with the aggression needed to counter these violent behaviours. 

 

"The mobilisation, for example, that we have in Jamaica when it comes on to election time is second to none for any system in Jamaica. No public relations system works like that. So I don't think that we don't have the capacity and we don't have the will. The fact is that we don't think that the problem is serious enough or great enough for us to organise," he complained. 

 

"So we have a minister, for example, who was in Parliament and you hear about music being the issue. I'm not saying that it's not a part of the issue but those things are cop-outs. What I want to hear from my Minister of Education are serious absolutions that means that it's going to be long term," demanded Mr. Wright. 

 

He was a guest on the Morning Agenda on Power 106FM.

 

In an article published in the Sunday Gleaner, several teachers recounted what they described as horror stories, involving their students.

 

The teachers described students as a crossbreed between narcissists and terrorists, forcing many to retire early.

 

Many expressed feelings of anxiety and depression and say they are operating in low security prisons with students who are high security risks.

 

But Mr. Wright believes those psychological issues will be minor, if the help needed is not swiftly provided.