Letter of the Day | Come together to nurture peace among our children

THE EDITOR, Madam:

We at PALS Jamaica are heartbroken by the recent tragedy involving the loss of young Amari Coley. We extend our deepest condolences to all affected by this tragic event.

Violence involving school-age children is everyone’s concern, and it is clear that we have a great deal to do to help our children and youth find better ways to handle conflict. Though the incident happened outside the grounds of Denham Town High and Holy Trinity High, it reminds us of the urgent need to address violence beyond school walls.

Amari’s loss is devastating not only because of the bright future stolen from him but also because another young life — that of the 14-year-old girl involved — has been drastically changed. Her actions highlight the urgent need for robust support systems that offer youth alternatives to violence as we strive to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

Now more than ever, our country, communities, and schools must come together to teach and nurture peace among our children. It is crucial that we implement ongoing programmes that focus on understanding each other, talking things out, and resolving differences without resorting to violence.

The Ministry of Education’s provision of grief counselling is a necessary step in helping students and staff navigate this difficult time.

As the School Safety Policy undergoes review, we encourage the ministry to continue to prioritise the safety and well-being of all students, paired with long-term strategies that actively engage students, educators, and communities in creating cultures of safety and respect.

PALS Jamaica has previously implemented conflict resolution and behaviour change programmes at Denham Town High School – and seen first-hand that these initiatives can make a real difference – illustrating the vital role that continuous engagement in peace-building efforts plays in our educational environments.

We remember Amari not only for his achievements, but as a call to action to all of us to ensure that our schools become sanctuaries of peace and learning, not places marred by violence.

In this endeavour, we must collaborate – schools, governmental bodies, and community organisations – to diminish the prevalence of violence and to shape a future where our children can thrive in peace.

CHRISTOPHER BARNES

Chairman

PALS Jamaica