JTA condemns violent attack on teacher at Vere Technical High

 

The Jamaica Teachers' Association has joined the Ministry of Education in condemning last week's violent attack on a teacher at Vere Technical High School in Clarendon.

 

The female teacher suffered injuries during a physical confrontation with relatives of a male student.

 

Disgruntled teachers at the school staged a sit-in on Wednesday to protest against the decision of the police to charge the teacher, who they claimed was defending herself.

 

Education Minister Fayval Williams condemned the action of the child's mother, who was also charged by the police.

 

JTA President Leighton Johnson says the Association is growing wary of the aggressive nature in which some parents have been confronting teachers. 

 

"We need parents to desist from making disparaging and in many instances derogatory remarks about our schools in the presence of their children. Parents should lead by example and demonstrate to their children how conflicts can be resolved amicably without resorting to violence, and of course this is modelling acceptable behaviour patterns in resolving issues at the school level. The Jamaica Teachers' Association is once again making that urgent call for parents to support schools in reinforcing positive character-based values and attitudes that our schools are promoting," he pleaded.