Diaspora leaders voice concerns over indiscipline in Jamaica’s schools
Published:Friday | October 6, 2023 | 12:11 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
Leaders in the diaspora have voiced their concerns about the rising indiscipline in Jamaican schools and are calling for programmes to stem the tide.
The diaspora leaders made their call following recent incidents at two rural schools where students were beaten, in at least one case after accidentally stepping on the shoes of a fellow student. They are also concerned about interaction between students and teachers in the classroom.
Donovan Wilson, the president of Union of Jamaican Alumni Association (UJAA), an umbrella organisation that brings together 65 alumni associations, said he was appalled to see the news of students being beaten unconscious because of an accidental bump.
“We were gratified to see the actions of the five students who took the young man to a doctor while motorists and other spectators looked on,” he said of the incident last week at B.B. Coke High School, in which 14-year-old Jaheim Colman was beaten unconscious by a schoolmate.
Colman was yesterday reported to be feeling much better after being hospitalised since the incident.
Fayval Williams, minister of education and youth, gave the update yesterday in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“As you can see, Jaheim is up & feeling better. We give thanks for this. He was able to collect his laptop. His aunt was very happy. Thanks again to PM, Dr Tufton & the entire MOHW, the five friends and all Jamaicans who prayed & hoped for his full recovery,” she said.
Williams also shared photographs of Jaheim hugging her and receiving his gift.
VIOLENCE NOT THE ANSWER
Wilson, while speaking with The Gleaner, said it was “sad to see that our young ones are resorting to violence at the proverbial drop of a hat”.
He said violence was not the answer and would never be the answer.
“Social and economic pressures are real for our most vulnerable. Intervention must occur before any life is lost and any young person’s dream is extinguished as a result of such acts.”
Dr Allan Cunningham, community advocate and provider of scholarships to students in Jamaica, said what was being seen was a degradation of the values of society.
“The blatant and disrespectful attitude towards each other is evident in our youth. No longer are we holding each other accountable as parents. This inhumane treatment of aggression should be dealt with at the highest level,” he said.
Cunningham said the value of a shoe should never be the focal point of “any of our leaders” as this “would manifest itself in our youth”.
He added: “Jamaica is heading to a dark place, and our children are getting the wrong message.”
UNDERMINING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Dr Karren Dunkley, international educator and former Jamaica Diaspora council member, said the escalating epidemic of school violence in Jamaica inevitably undermines national development as a generation is raised in an atmosphere devoid of the essential values of collaboration, innovation, and respect necessary for societal progress.
“The recent heartrending incident, where a student was beaten unconscious over an alleged minor offence – stepping on a schoolmate’s shoe – underscores the severity and irrationality of this epidemic,” she said.
Dunkley said it becomes imperative for school authorities, local communities, and the Government to collaboratively develop robust mechanisms to ensure student safety, promote conflict resolution, and instill values of mutual respect and understanding.
“The future of Jamaica hinges on the well-being and education of its youth. We owe it to them and ourselves to curtail this surge of violence and re-establish schools as places of nurturing, empowerment, and holistic growth. The diaspora stands ready to support this cause,” said Dunkley.
Dr Rupert Francis, head of the Diaspora Crime Prevention and Intervention Task Force, said that over the past few years, we have seen an unprecedented rise of violent behaviour among our young people.
He said that despite such an increase, the Jamaican society has remained largely silent, not raising its voice against such acts of violence.
“Why are politicians silent, the churches, Jamaicans for Justice? Silent. This is egregious, to say the least. Have we lost our voices, have we given up, are we numb to these acts of extreme violence in our society?” he questioned.
Francis urged all Jamaicans to take a stand now and find a way to protect the nation’s children by providing better focus on the family “because the children are our only hope for the future”.
He added: “I urge you not to forget that a society is judged by how we treat the least among us. Our country deserves more than this, Many persons that we look to for leadership in all walks of life are letting us down by their silence.”