Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, is imploring parents to report disputes involving their children to school authorities or the police before they escalate into serious, violent incidents.
Her call comes in the wake of the tragic death of a 16-year-old grade-10 student at Ocho Rios High School, who was struck during a dispute with another pupil on Wednesday (March 4).
The other student involved in the incident is now in police custody as investigations continue.
The Minister noted that Wednesday’s fatal incident appears to have been the culmination of a dispute that began the previous day.
“I say this, parents, if your child comes home and tells you that something happened at school, come into the school and report it. Report it to the police,” Dr. Morris Dixon appealed during a visit to the institution in St. Ann on Thursday (March 5).
She indicated that schools are equipped with guidance counsellors, deans of discipline, and school resource officers from the police force, but these systems can only work if families speak up.
During her visit to the school, the Minister met with the principal, teachers and members of the school community, as well as relatives of the deceased student.
She expressed condolences and assured them that the Ministry will provide full support during the difficult period ahead.
Counsellors from the Ministry and neighbouring parishes have been deployed to assist students and staff as they process the traumatic event.
The Minister pointed out that the intervention will not be limited to a single day, noting that psychosocial support may be required for months as the school community works to heal.
“I ask all of Jamaica to pray for our children across the country. Our children are hurting. There is anger there, and we have to work really hard to get to the bottom of it, to provide the psychosocial support to these children and to develop communities that can support these children,” she said.
“These children do not just come out of thin air. They are hearts of communities, and what we are seeing in the schools is what we’re seeing in our communities and the behaviour from our communities, and we have to stop it,” she added.
Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for St. Ann North Eastern, Hon. Matthew Samuda, who was also on hand, expressed sympathy to the grieving family.
He told journalists that there have been sustained efforts to reduce crime and violence in and around St. Ann since last year, making the incident a painful interruption to what has been a period of focused progress.
“We are deeply hurt for the families. My personal condolences and, indeed, the condolences of my team, to the family that is grieving this morning. This is a true tragedy and it will take some time to unpack,” Mr. Samuda said.
He urged continued, coordinated push by schools and their surrounding communities to foster safer environments.
Following the visit to the school, the team travelled to the home of the grieving family to offer condolences and support.
