Opposition Spokesperson on Education and Training, Dr Angela Brown Burke is expressing concern about the high level of violence in Jamaica’s schools, which she said has escalated since the resumption of face-to-face classes.

In a statement Wednesday (March 23), the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) said Jamaicans have in recent weeks been bombarded with videos of students involved in fights and violent activities in schools.

As a result, the PNP claimed that many parents are now beginning to question whether or not their children are safe at school.

16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT CHARGED WITH MURDER

“Yet another violent incident in our schools has resulted in the death of young Khamal Hall,” Brown Burke said in reference to the William Knibb student who died at the hands of a schoolmate when he was stabbed in a dispute over a ring. The 16-year-old student accused in the fatal incident on Monday was on Tuesday charged with murder.

“The Opposition extends condolence to his family, friends and other members of the school fraternity who are mourning his loss,” said Brown Burke.

She argued that, while much of the focus has been placed on the learning loss suffered by the nation’s children as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the social and emotional loss suffered must also be taken into consideration.

Brown Burke said she was therefore calling for the Government to ensure that schools have access to an adequate number of counselors, psychologists, nurses, social workers and other resources to ensure that the support needed by the island’s children is available to them. 

Stating that the reintegration of students into normal school activities has been posing a challenge to teachers and school staff, she said: “Teachers have been telling us that it is taking a very long time to settle children back into learning because of the behaviours that they have been displaying.”

Brown Burke argued that it was important to establish a formal and coordinated programme to deal with these behavioral issues which she said might become a hindrance to learning. 

“The current level of violence in schools is not a local issue but a pervasive systemic issue, which may have been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she added as she called for the Government to act swiftly in addressing the issues.

“What is therefore required of the Government is an analysis of the emerging data and a formulation of a response that is culturally appropriate to cauterise the violence.”

Brown Burke also noted that an urgent response was needed, considering the level of family and community violence in the society.