By Francine Black, Staff ReporterAN INTER-AGENCY task force created by the Ministry of Education to tackle violence in schools was officially launched yesterday at the Jamaica Conference Centre.
The launch was held to coincide with the official presentation of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) State of the World's Children 2004 report.
Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry-Wilson, said as she officially launched the report that there was a need for the schools to help stem the incidence of student violence.
She acknowledged, however, that the task might be difficult, having linked the problem to the culture of violence pervading the wider society.
"Children live what they learn. How do we stem the violence in schools when there is a continuation of violence in the society?" Mrs. Wilson asked.
She pointed out that students were constantly being exposed to violence through various means, including the informal transportation system where violent videos are shown to students on their journey to and from school.
She also called upon the everyone to commit to providing a "cradling environment" one where there is warmth, peace and love for students, so that they can do well.
Violence committed by and against students has been on the rise in Jamaica with at least five cases recorded since January.
Three of the incidents involved student-on-student assault, and two were cases of students allegedly attacking adults, resulting in their incarceration on murder charges. Only one incident involved a female student.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
The task force which was convened by the Ministry in November 2003, with funding from UNICEF, pulls together representatives from various ministries and sectors to address violence in schools.
The task force, chaired by Chief Education Officer Wesley Barrett, met in working sessions yesterday and will conclude its deliberations today. The final sessions will finalise intervention strategies and develop the framework for collaboration on any recommended actions.
UNICEF's State of the World's Children report this year is largely focused on closing the gender gaps in education systems worldwide, where girls are largely denied access.
The situation is somewhat different in Jamaica where access is open to all, but girls are outperforming boys in the system and there is a high drop-out rate among boys.
The report also looked at the link between education and development. It explored many of the issues that prevent children from truly succeeding and in that light made an urgent call for countries to ensure that education is provided for all and used as a vehicle for development.
Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF representative in Jamaica, speaking about the under-achievement of the boys, another issue discussed in the report, linked the problem to violence in society.
"The violence in the home and community has a direct correlation with the aggressive behaviour of some children at school, especially boys. The level of physical abuse experienced by some boys at home is undoubtedly contributing to their academic under-achievement and their behaviour at school," he said.
