School leaders must be firm but follow rules in administering discipline - Morris Dixon

 

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon is defending the efforts of educators to instill discipline. 

 

She notes that teachers continue to be the only source of guidance for some students. 

 

Her position follows criticism of some schools for their choices of disciplinary action since the reopening of the 2025-26 academic year. 

 

Since Monday, scores of students have been locked out of schools or sent home for grooming infractions, leaving many stakeholders outraged. 

 

School leaders have insisted that enforcing the rules of the institutions is critical to maintaining order and discipline. 

 

Speaking at the 140th anniversary celebration of Shortwood Teachers' College on Wednesday, the Education Minister noted that while school leaders need to be firm, they must also follow the rules in administering discipline. 

 

"As we talk about rules, we have to understand that the Jamaica that's going to be a beacon in this world is going to have to be one rooted in discipline. And of course, that does not mean that there are not rules around which we administer discipline. That's very important, very important because our children also need to be valued and our children need to be kept safe. But at the heart of it, and as Minister of Education up to today, I'm telling you that my focus is on having disciplined school environments," she asserted.