Dear Editor,

In light of the increasing incidents of violence in our secondary schools, there is a suggestion to assign a pastor to each school to help curb the rise in disruptive and hot-tempered behaviour.

However, there has been heated public backlash concerning this recommendation, with many people saying that pastors should attend to their role in the Church and help cleanse the immorality from the clergy and congregants.

Jamaica has the most churches per square mile, but to what extent has the multiplicity of churches helped to solve or prevent some of the most heinous acts that happen in our schools and society at large?

It is incontestable that the Church is an important social and spiritual organisation. Personally, there are many principles I have learnt in Sabbath school. The
Bible studies that we have span history, linguistics, culture, harmonious living, among a plethora of other elements. Hence, going to church can yield many positive results.

However, the times have evolved and fewer people go to church nowadays. One of the issues is that there are numerous things competing for our attention. There is just so much to consume, most of which is not substantial, not wholesome. They provide temporary gratification, but the mind is thirsty for meaningful supplements. Consequently, we ought to be mindful of the things we feed our souls.

The Jamaican school system is heavily Christianised and different church groups own a good percentage of our schools. I went to a Methodist high school with one of the largest school populations in the Corporate Area. Like most schools, we have devotion every morning and we have a school chaplain who conducts worship once or twice a week. Therefore, several of our schools already have a resident member of the clergy or one who is available upon request. Has their presence made any significant impact?

Certainly, pastors could help with reducing conflicts in schools, but their intervention cannot be isolated. They would have to work alongside other stakeholders, such as the police, guidance counsellors, social workers, psychologists, and influencers, etc.

The public often views pastors in a negative light, which is understandable to some degree. However, what is missing from the conversation is that there are many pastors who have training in counselling, psychology, social work, behaviour analysis, and restorative justice. They have had to do intervention at the church and community levels; therefore, some of them do possess a level of expertise that could serve the schools.

Notwithstanding, we need to consider the broader issues. We are all unique individuals who will share divergent perspectives occasionally and get involved in conflicts from time to time. But what causes us to react physically or verbally in an abusive way? Is it our education, socialisation, or consumption?

In January 2021, Prime Minister Andrew Holness highlighted the critical need to invest in the ‘heart-ware’ of the citizens in the country’s fight against crime and violence. Admittedly, the armed forces have received more equipment (hardware) and training, which yielded positive results in addressing the crime monster plaguing our beloved country. But if as a people we do not engender a collective heart of love for each other, no amount of physical and technological resources will truly stop our inhumane behaviour.

It appears we need a national social campaign with clearly defined objectives to mobilise the citizens and get the populous to buy into the vision of #MyJamaica.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com