PRESIDENT-elect of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Ena Barclay on Tuesday charged all stakeholders to play their part in transforming the country’s education system and address the problem of school violence.

The 34-year veteran educator not only urged the government to put more resources into education, but also called on the private sector and the media to do more for the schools and students.

Speaking at a teacher’s luncheon sponsored by the Kingston Bookshop at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew, Barclay said teachers were working in fear, because of gun violence in communities, and attacks on teachers by both parents and students. She said a collaborative approach involving teachers, the Ministry of Education, parents and the students themselves was needed to address the problems.

“We need to work together to pull back those students who are at the edge and heading for destruction,” Barclay said. “We must face the reality that a different approach is needed to reach them and we must have the will to respond to the challenges that they present. no one measure will be suitable for all situations.”

While identifying the ills of the education system, Barclay highlighted positive trends, such as the more collaborative approach between the JTA and the ministry, increased training among teachers, improvement of school plants, and “students showing improvement in national exams”.

However, she said greater level of commitment from the government is needed in providing resources in the system.

“We need to really believe that investment in education is the key to the nation’s development”, she said.

Barclay called on the government and corporate Jamaica to provide more scholarships for teachers, and for more companies to adopt schools.

She also called on the media to urge parents to fulfil their obligation to their children and their schools. “We need the media to convey messages to our students that will keep them focused in their pursuit of excellence,” Barclay added.

At the function, Kingston Bookshop honoured principal of the Portmore Community College, Karen Hewitt Kennedy, and vice-principal of GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sports, Edwin Murray for their contribution to education.