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Letter of the Day | Counsel students to curb violence in schools

Published:Tuesday | October 25, 2022 | 12:06 AM
Minister of Education Fayval Williams (left) speaks with Kayanna Lawrence, a grade 11 student and friend of 16-year-old Michion Campbell, who was stabbed to death, and Maulton Campbell, principal, during a visit at Kingston Technical High School on October
Rudolph Brown
Minister of Education Fayval Williams (left) speaks with Kayanna Lawrence, a grade 11 student and friend of 16-year-old Michion Campbell, who was stabbed to death, and Maulton Campbell, principal, during a visit at Kingston Technical High School on October 3.

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am writing with reference to a news item in The Gleaner titled ‘Thousands of students targeted in anti-violence campaign’. Thanks for this report on the Ministry of Education getting help for kids in primary and secondary schools to curb violence in schools. I suggested this as a means to fight crime over 15 years ago, when a juvenile broke into my home in Mandeville and stole my laptop.

I called the prosecutor and police officers and recommended some form of rehabilitation for the 14-year-old. Instead, I heard they beat him and placed him in a detention centre. Within a year he was out, and this time he was a part of a gang and had a gun. He broke into the neighbourhood again, at an ex-police officer’s home, who shot him dead.

I have been a teacher for over 30 years and understand the value of balancing discipline and kindness. I also have two grown sons who are trying to add value to society, and it wasn’t easy in the early years.

If the Government can stem crime in the primary and high schools, this will nip it in the bud and help Jamaica get out of this revolving door of crime. I would request that a follow-up is done to see how this strategy is working in schools. Children are innocent; something must be done to save them.

SYBIL WILSON