“A who next?” asked a group of students of the St Andrew-based Dunrobin Primary School in a dramatic performance during which they lamented the attacks against Jamaican children and urged adults to allow them to achieve their potential.

The performance came on Friday during a function organised by the custos of St Andrew Ian Forbes and justices of the peace for the parish, in collaboration with the ministries of justice and education to mark the National Day of Mourning proclaimed by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen to mark the loss of Jamaica’s children who have been killed and to support those suffering abuse.

In his message to the function, which was delivered by Forbes, Sir Patrick urged Jamaicans to commit to tackling the scourge of violence against children.

“Today we remember, tomorrow we act, for our children [and] for our future,” said Sir Patrick.

“Every child in our nation deserves to grow up in safety, nurtured by our collective love and understanding. But these innocent souls were denied that fundamental right, an horrific violation of the trust bestowed upon us as protectors.

“This is a grave failing, and we stand accountable,” added Sir Patrick, in reference to the recent abduction and murder of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe and the killing of at least eight other children across the island since the start of this year.

“Toady’s National Day of Mourning is not only an act of remembrance but also a solemn promise and a call to arms. The atrocities we have witnessed are not just the acts of a few but the symptoms of a deeper societal ailment that we must confront.

“We need to address the root causes of such violence, whether it is poverty, education, a breakdown of family values, social disparity or a lack of mental health services,” said the governor general.

According to Sir Patrick, Jamaicans must acknowledge our shortcomings and take decisive action to protect the children.

“There is no greater duty for us as a nation, as a society, as individuals, than to safeguard the lives and future of our children. We must bolster our systems of protection, ensure every voice is heard, and every child is seen.”

He argued that the agony the nation goes through every time a child is killed should fuel Jamaicans with an uncompromising resolve to fight against this darkness and to eradicate this menace from our society.

“In their memory, let us rally as one nation, a nation committed to the sanctity of childhood, the beauty of innocence, and the promise of tomorrow. Let our mourning not only be an echo of our sorrow, but the clarion call for change.

“May the purity of the lives lost inspire us, drive us to act, to mobilise our resources and build a nation that holds the safety of children paramount,” declared Sir Patrick.

Similar calls for action were made by the custos, principal of Dunrobin Primary Sacheel Grant-Henry and minister of state in the Ministry of Education Marsha Smith, as students, teachers, staff and parents looked on.

Zoukie Trucking Services also presented students of the school with whistles which they were encouraged to blow loudly once they were in danger.