JTA calls for support from social agencies to combat violence in schools

By Prince Moore     

 

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is appealing for schools to be supported by the relevant social agencies amid reports of violence in some institutions.

 

The latest incident occurred at Spot Valley High School in St. James on Monday where a student reportedly attacked her teacher.

 

JTA President Leighton Johnson says social agencies could assist in bolstering programmes in schools to assist students with behavioural issues.

 

He wants the Education Ministry to urgently deploy more resources to deal with students with psychosocial issues. 

 

"There is the need for additional guidance counsellors and social workers to be assigned to our schools to assist in identifying the psychosocial issues that plague our students and help in providing practical solutions to these issues that many of our students present with. We will continue to be strident in our call for school resource officers to be assigned to our schools, especially those institutions that have a greater propensity to violence," he asserted.

 

Mr. Johnson has also called for school boards to be more decisive in dealing with students who are violent. 

 

"A clear message must be sent to students who engage in behaviours that are considered criminal, that charges will be brought against them, and they will have to answer in a court of law for their misdemeanors."

 

He urged teachers to continue to display the highest level of professionalism in the execution of their duties, but noted that "necessary steps must be taken to protect and defend themselves, if and when necessary".