JTA president: Targeted approach needed to address bullying
Published:Thursday | September 25, 2025 | 12:11 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Stating that bullying is an age-old problem in schools, Jamaica Teachers’ Association President Mark Malabver says it is time for the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills and Information to take a more targeted approach to addressing the issue.
“There needs to be a public education around bullying,” he told The Gleaner. “It has been something that is a part of our education system for a while, and we have never really taken the sort of approach that we need to to eliminate bullying in our schools.”
His statement follows recent tragedies where two high school students died in suspected suicides which are believed to be linked to bullying.
In response to the tragic deaths, the education ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening student support systems.
Education Minister, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, declared that this pledge must now translate into urgent national action.
“Bullying is not harmless. It is destructive and dangerous, capable of eroding a child’s confidence and sense of self-worth, and sometimes leading to fatal consequences. As a country, we must face this reality head-on. Every child deserves a safe and supportive learning environment, and the ministry will intensify its response to protect them. However, we cannot succeed without the active involvement of parents, schools, and communities working together,” she said.
Malabver, who is the principal of Yallahs High School in St Thomas, also urged school administrations to take on a “no-nonsense” approach to bullying, while also being mindful that both the victim and the perpetrator need help.
“There are two sides, one has to do with the perpetrators or the group that perpetrates the bullying. Often times, they don’t even recognise the negative impact that their actions are having on individuals - both from a psychological standpoint and a physical standpoint - and in many respects, they also need some assistance and help,” he said.
A study conducted almost a decade ago by the Child Development Agency, now the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, revealed that 60 per cent to 65 per cent of Jamaican students have been bullied at some time in their lives. With 1,867 students participating in the study, 57.6 per cent cited being teased or called names; 31.5 per cent reported being hit, kicked and shoved; 28.6 per cent indicated having lies told on them; and another 13.7 per cent reported that they were excluded or ignored.
Additionally, there were children who reported experiencing more than one form of bullying, whether consistently or at different points in time.
Common forms of bullying include physical attacks, spreading rumours, being excluded from social circles, making repeated threats, verbal abuse, extortion, cyberbullying, and verbally ridiculing other students repeatedly.
Stressing that “we have to find a way to help”, Malabver also bemoaned the pressure he says guidance counsellors are under, burdened by their many other duties.
“They are treating with students who are on the PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education) programme, they are treating with having to visit many homes; many guidance counsellors are really under a whole lot of pressure,” he said.
Education ministry data shows there are 1,047 guidance counsellors employed within the public school system, with others working in private educational institutions.