The youth arm of the People’s National Party Youth Organization (PNPYO) is calling on the government to take urgent action to address the surge in violence affecting students.

The PNPYO in a statement said recent incidents have not only resulted in tragic losses, but have also highlighted a social crisis.

“We are not naive to think that the situation will be remedied overnight, however, we must act now to preserve the lives of our youth,” the organization said.

The organization moved to chide the Education Minister Fayval Williams for what it said was a lack of implementation of far-reaching and necessary programmes and policies that will protect students.

“The Minister in October 2022, made a bold declaration to decrease the incidence of school violence by 50 per cent by November 2023. Noting the instances of violence among students in the past few days, the PNPYO believes that the Minister must give a definitive account of the measures that have been put in place as well as the effectiveness of such initiatives,” it added.

The PNPYO further outlined a list of recommendations to tackle the issue of violence in schools.

The recommendations are as follows:

• Establish Safe Spaces and Promote Peer Mentorship Programs: Initiatives should focus on creating designated conflict resolution areas where students can seek help and resolve disputes peacefully. Additionally, peer mentorship and counseling/mediation programs should be implemented to empower students to manage conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, and foster leadership.

• Enhance After-School Activities and Volunteer Mobilization: To reduce idle time and associated risks, schools should offer structured extracurricular activities. Concurrently, mobilizing volunteers, including psychologists and social workers, will ensure that every child, particularly in high-need areas, receives personalized support plans that connect them to crucial services.

• Strengthen Reporting Mechanisms and Promote Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBIS): Schools must establish efficient record-keeping and reporting systems to address safety concerns promptly. A PBIS framework should also be implemented, emphasizing proactive strategies for promoting positive behavior and preventing disciplinary issues.

• Implement Comprehensive Support through SEL and Increased Support Services: Integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into the curriculum will equip students with critical life skills such as empathy and self-awareness. Increasing the number of guidance counselors and social workers in schools and increasing the number of child psychologists will further ensure that students have access to necessary mental health support.

• Train Staff in De-escalation Techniques and Encourage Restorative Justice Practices: Training for staff on de-escalation techniques is crucial for effectively managing conflicts. Additionally, schools should adopt restorative justice practices that focus on resolving the root causes of conflicts through understanding, accountability, and reconciliation.

• Collaborate with Community Stakeholders and Review Existing Initiatives: Schools should partner with youth organizations and other stakeholders to launch comprehensive safety campaigns. Moreover, a review of existing initiatives, including reinstating programs like the Peace Management Initiative, should be conducted to reinforce violence prevention efforts.