Cuthbert-Flynn urges students to adopt culture of kindness over bullying
Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 5:08 PMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU
Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, state minister in the Ministry of National Security, is urging students at Unity Primary School, in Westmoreland, to promptly report incidents of bullying to their principal, guidance counsellors, or a trusted adult as a way of having the issue resolved.
Cuthbert-Flynn was speaking to the students during a session of the security ministry’s Anti-Violence Campaign, which is designed to reduce violence in schools by promoting a culture of respect and kindness.
“Bullying is not right, and so, I think today, what we want to instil in you is to really not do those things to your classmates or your friends, because it’s really best to ‘LIV GUD’,” said Cuthbert-Flynn, in noting that bullying negatively impacts students’ well-being and academic performance.
She told the children that it is better to talk about their feelings and come to an amicable resolution than to fight it out with their classmates.
“So, I think the next time you are angry about something or somebody bullying you, the best thing to do is to speak with your principal or you can go and talk with your guidance counsellors,” said Cuthbert-Flynn. “It is best that if something is bothering you, that you can actually talk to somebody, talk to a grown- up about it, than to come to school and fight.”
During her presentation, Cuthbert-Flynn also emphasised the role of educators and parents in creating a safe and supportive environment for students, while urging teachers and parents to be vigilant and responsive in dealing with bullying by providing the necessary support and intervention to ensure that every child feels safe at school.
Interactive exercise
The Anti-Violence Campaign session was an interactive exercise that included discussions, educational materials, and activities designed to raise awareness about the impact of bullying and the importance of reporting it.
Dawnett Hall-Beharie, the principal at Unity Primary School, told The Gleaner that this initiative aligns with the ministry’s broader efforts to combat violence and promote a culture of peace and respect within schools and communities.
“This initiative is one that is extremely important at our school because we have a minority of our students who demonstrate deviant behaviour,” said Hall-Beharie. “We know that, with the team coming here from the Ministry of National Security, we will have more of those students demonstrating acceptable behaviour, which will empower our school in having a positive environment each day.”