KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) said it welcomes the government’s announcement to prohibit the use of corporal punishment in educational institutions.

The organisation said such a measure, if robustly implemented, will advance the welfare of all children by affirming in law that violence ought never to be the way we discipline children.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness in his contribution to the 2017/2018budget debate on Tuesday said, “The Government will amend the Education Act to explicitly prohibit corporal punishment in schools.”

The JFJ said it unreservedly endorses this move, and any other steps that address the longstanding gaps in the protection of children from violence, adding that corporal punishment has already been outlawed in early childhood institutions, children’s homes, and places of safety, under the Child Care and Protection Act.

“New legislative action to end the practice in schools would represent one of the most far-reaching measures in recent times to transform the national culture towards violence against children.”

The organisation further stated that corporal punishment is a demonstrably abusive practice that is invariably degrading.

“Jamaicans are all too aware of horrific cases of children suffering long-term physical injury from beatings simply for getting answers incorrect on tests or speaking out of turn.”

The group urged the government, in partnership with civil society to develop practical, culturally appropriate alternative forms of discipline and promote them widely, explaining that changing an entrenched cultural practice will not be easy and educators will need sustained training in alternative forms of discipline, and child development.

“We urge the Ministry of Education to seriously invest in capacity-building at teacher’s colleges and schools at all levels, complimented by a robust enforcement structure. The best way to engender compliance is to make it easy. JFJ stands ready to partner with government on this important human rights initiative.”

The group also urged the Government to complete the amendments to the Education Act expeditiously, stressing that the half-century old law is severely dated, and should not be subjected to an inordinately delayed reform process.

“Moreover, this measure should be the first step towards regulating corporal punishment in the family setting. Given the government’s stated intention to review the Child Care and Protection Act, it now has a clear opportunity to truly address corporal punishment in its two final frontiers. In so doing, it can make a lasting impression on the trajectory of child rights in Jamaica for years to come,” said JFJ.