Opposition spokesperson on education, Damion Crawford, has raised concerns about the escalating violence in schools and is urging the education ministry to take decisive steps to effectively respond to the issue.

Crawford, in a letter addressed to portfolio minister Fayval Williams, noted that despite calls from the Opposition for action and numerous recommendations, there remains a lack of effective response from the Government.

“In our previous statements, we have highlighted the alarming trend of violence within schools and emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the root causes of this issue. We have identified various risk factors contributing to this violence, including individual, relationship, community or societal, and school-related factors,” Crawford lamented.

“It is deeply troubling that despite our efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and provide viable solutions, the Government has generally ignored these efforts. The lack of progress in implementing concrete solutions is unfortunate and poses a grave risk to the safety and well-being of our children,” he added.

Crawford is now urging the education minister to consider the following recommendations:

• Establishment of departments of socialisation in all public schools, led by guidance counsellors and staffed by trained form teachers.
• Ensuring adequate adult supervision during non-class interactions, particularly during lunchtimes and after school.
• Engaging the police force to implement after-school mobile patrols in school areas.
• Rethinking the role and remuneration of form teachers to incentivise their commitment to student well-being.
• Providing comprehensive training for educators in behaviour modification and intervention strategies.
• Increasing the number of deans of discipline and guidance counsellors to improve student support services.
• Implementing staggered lunch and dismissal times to enhance supervision and reduce risk.
• Revising detention practices to focus on long-term intervention and peace education.
• Offering special summer programs for students prone to violence.
• Equipping schools with closed-circuit cameras for enhanced security.
• Adopting a zero-tolerance approach to violence and promoting positive behaviour.
• Rewarding good behaviour and encouraging community involvement.
• Exploring the establishment of reform boarding schools and increasing mental health support.
• Creating a department of volunteerism to engage community mentors.
• Organising weekend peace education programs involving parents and guardians.
• Implementing a big brother or sister program to support at-risk students.
• Promoting school attachment through cultural activities and values education.

Crawford is urging Wiilliams to prioritise the safety and well-being of our students by acting on the Opposition recommendations.