‘No silver bullet to address violence in schools’
Student fights disrupt launch of Peace Gardens initiative to create safe spaces
Published:Saturday | September 21, 2024 | 12:09 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The urgency of addressing violence in schools was starkly highlighted yesterday during the launch of the Peace Gardens Competition at Kingston High School, where two student brawls erupted despite the presence of government officials from the ministries of National Security, and Education and Youth.
The event, intended to promote peace in schools, was marred by physical altercations among students, underscoring the need for such initiatives.
The Peace Gardens Competition is an initiative responding directly to the flare-up of violence in schools and the need to create safe, restorative spaces within schools.
These Peace Gardens, consisting of ‘Peace Trees’, are expected to serve as physical and symbolic representations of non-violence, providing students and members of staff with the environment and tools necessary to resolve conflicts peacefully and engage in introspection.
By integrating peace education with environmental stewardship, the initiative aims to foster a culture of non-violence that extends beyond the school grounds and into the wider community.
Heated scuffle
However, before the symbolic planting of the ‘Peace Tree’ could take place at yesterday’s launch, Richard Troupe, acting director of Safety and Security in the Ministry of Education and Youth, had to rush away from the distinguished guests to break up a fight between two grade nine boys.
The first incident occurred in a classroom, where members of the school’s security team intervened to break up a heated scuffle between students. Earlier, Troupe had emphasised the importance of initiatives like ‘Trees for Peace’ in light of recent violent incidents involving students.
Troupe highlighted two recent cases: a seven-year-old student found with a submachine gun at a school in St Elizabeth and a fight between primary school children at a Portland institution.
“I don’t think as Jamaicans we have been exposed to this level of aggression and violence among primary-level children. It speaks to the urgency of this intervention,” Troupe stated.
He defended the educators who came under fire for reporting the gun found at the St Elizabeth school to the police, affirming the education ministry’s support for those ensuring the safety of Jamaica’s children.
“These incidents are a reminder that there is no silver bullet to address the issue of violence in our schools. The violence in our schools reflects the violence in our homes and communities. If we are to make a change, we must work collaboratively with schools, communities, and families,” Troupe added.
Troupe emphasised the significance of the Trees for Peace initiative, noting that the Peace Gardens in schools offer children a space to process issues. He pointed out that many students live in “concrete jungles”, making green spaces in schools even more essential.
‘STEP BACK BEFORE THEY ACT’
Dr Elizabeth Ward, chairperson of the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), expressed her enthusiasm for the revival of the initiative, which began in 2018. She emphasised that the Peace Gardens project provides a space for children and parents to receive guidance and counselling.
“Peace building can be fun but very effective if done right,” Dr Ward noted.
She encouraged as many schools as possible to participate in the Peace Gardens Competition, which runs until October 11, aligning with National Tree Planting Day.
Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, minister of state in the Ministry of National Security, endorsed the initiative, noting her love for nature. She suggested incorporating activities like yoga and mindfulness exercises into the Peace Gardens to help children learn to “step back before they act”.
The escalating violence in schools, Cuthbert-Flynn warned, undermines educational outcomes, mental well-being, and the overall safety of students and staff. She linked the rise in violence in schools to the decline in traditional childhood games that fostered social bonds among students.
The Peace Gardens Competition, launched yesterday in observance of International Day of Peace which is celebrated worldwide on September 21, is now underway.