We cannot afford to lose our boys to violence

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The growing incidence of violence among students, particularly those resulting in serious bodily harm and loss of life, should concern every Jamaican. The recent fatal stabbing involving two male students in Manchester is another painful reminder that violence among our young people has reached a point requiring urgent and coordinated intervention.

Against this background, the Ministry of Education’s renewed focus on improving outcomes for boys is timely. Rhoda Moy Crawford, MP, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, recently outlined initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges confronting male students. These include improving teaching approaches to encourage boys’ participation, strengthening restorative approaches to discipline, and examining the psychosocial factors contributing to their underperformance.

However, these interventions must extend beyond academic achievement. We must also confront the social and behavioural challenges affecting our boys. Many are navigating difficult home environments, emotional distress, negative peer influences, exposure to violence, and societal expectations surrounding masculinity. While these circumstances do not excuse violent behaviour, they must inform how we design interventions to prevent it.

Importantly, the proposed reforms must place greater emphasis on conflict resolution, emotional regulation, anger management and mediation. Our schools must become environments where disagreements are addressed constructively before they escalate into physical confrontations. Restorative justice should not mean an absence of accountability; rather, it should complement appropriate disciplinary measures by helping students understand the consequences of their actions and develop healthier ways of resolving disputes.

This responsibility cannot rest solely with the ministry or classroom teachers. It requires an all-hands-on-deck approach involving parents, school administrators, guidance counsellors, deans of discipline, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders. In particular, guidance counsellors and deans must be adequately supported to identify behavioural concerns early, facilitate interventions, and connect vulnerable students with appropriate services. Greater opportunities for positive male mentorship must also form part of the response.

We cannot afford to lose our boys, either through academic marginalisation or violence that destroys young lives and leaves families and communities devastated. A deliberate, evidence-informed and sustained approach to boys’ education, socialisation and character development is therefore essential.

Ricardo E. Smith