JTA president calls on school administrators to tackle violence ‘head-on’

WESTERN BUREAU:

PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Leighton Johnson, is calling on school administrators to play their part in curbing violence in schools across the island.

Johnson, who was speaking during the regular monthly meeting of JTA’s central executive on Friday, bemoaned the recent incidents of violence in secondary institutions.

In the most recent incident, 15-year-old Raniel Plummer, a student at the Irwin High School in St James, was killed during a stabbing incident after school was dismissed on April 19. A 14-year-old male student has since been arrested and charged.

In a similar incident, a day prior, in the Corporate Area, three students were left injured after a brawl at the Half Way Tree Transport Centre. The brawl reportedly stemmed from a love triangle. It is being alleged that a student from The Queen’s School was involved in a relationship with a student from Calabar High School before moving on to a relationship with a student from Mona High School.

While expressing his disappointment, Johnson charged that the teachers’ association cannot afford to turn a blind eye on what he described as a “scourge of violence” affecting youths. The JTA president pointed out that violence across schools has many negative implications on the education sector and affects all stakeholders whether they are directly involved.

“As we celebrate our achievements of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association for six decades, we cannot ignore the sobering realities that confront us in the present moment. The scourge of violence within our society and our schools cast a dark shadow over the progress we have made, threatening the safety and well-being of our students and teachers alike. It is a challenge that demands our urgent attention and collective action.”

“Violence has no place within our educational institutions. It undermines the very foundation upon which our schools are built and threatens the safety and well-being of our students and staff. As leaders entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the minds and futures of our youth, we must act with unwavering resolve to address this issue head-on,” said the JTA president.

Johnson went on to encourage that all educators and administrators join hands to ensure that violence in school ends. He suggested that the implementation of “clear and enforceable disciplinary policies” along with “adequate support and resources for conflict resolution” be used as a starting point to steer students away from violent interactions.

“Furthermore, I call on all administrators to emphasise that violence will not be tolerated in our schools, and those who engage in such behaviour will be held accountable for their actions. We must send a clear and unequivocal message that violence is not acceptable under any circumstances, and those who choose to engage in it will face serious consequences,” Johnson charged.

APPLY DUE DILIGENCE

At the same time, the JTA president said that administrators should be mindful as they seek to enforce the policies of their respective institutions. Johnson said that due diligence should also be applied in addressing the disciplinary issues in schools

“It is imperative that, as educators and custodians of care, we uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and due process in all disciplinary matters involving our students.”

“When addressing disciplinary issues, I urge our administrators to follow the established protocols and procedures as outlined by the Code of Regulation, which provide clear guidelines for handling disciplinary matters in a fair and equitable manner. Additionally, I remind administrators of the legal obligations set forth by the Child Care and Protection Act, which are designed to safeguard the welfare of children and protect them from all forms of abuse and harm.”

In the meantime, Johnson noted that the Ministry of Education and Youth also has a part to play in curbing the acts of violence in schools. He said that the education ministry has the responsibility to ensure that deans of discipline, guidance counsellors and additional resources are implemented in all institutions across the island.

Additionally, the JTA president suggested that school resource officers are deployed to institutions with a high level of violence, while cameras are also installed on the compounds.

Johnson said that these “are essential steps towards creating a secure learning environment for our students and staff. There is the need for the establishment of facilities that are adequately staffed to deal with students who display consistent antisocial behaviour with no indication of reform. These students pose a severe threat to the well-being of other students and staff and need specialised care and attention of which they cannot receive in the regular school setting.”

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com