KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is expressing sorrow and concern following two violent school incidents on Tuesday including the stabbing death of a grade seven student of Denham Town High School.
The student was killed while on his way home, and a school girl has been placed into custody regarding the stabbing. That same day one female student was attacked by another at the entrance of the Oberlin High School, resulting in multiple facial injuries.

“Violence in any form towards and by our students must never be tolerated,” the ministry maintained in a press release on Wednesday.

Dana Morris Dixon, minister of education, skills, youth and information said, “These incidents are both tragic and alarming. We must come together as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Violence has no place in our schools. We will continue working with the Ministry of National Security and other MDAs to create a culture of peace in places of learning.”

The ministry says it is working closely with security forces and school administrators to provide the necessary support to the affected families, schools, and students. Additionally, the ministry’s Region One office has dispatched a specialised team to provide grief counseling and psychological support to the affected students, staff and families at both schools

“A full investigation is underway into both matters, and the ministry awaits the official reports to ascertain further details,” the MOEY maintained.

A review of the School Safety Policy has been promised by Morris Dixon as well as increased deployment of school resource officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force to support schools with high incidences of violence.

Principals are now being asked to increase their vigilance on the ground, intensify behaviour change efforts, and remind students of the need to use conflict management skills.

“It is our collective responsibility as a nation to protect and guide our children, ensuring that schools remain spaces of learning, growth and positive development,” the ministry said.