REPORTS of bullying among Jamaican youth have been worryingly increasing over the last few years, with 2026 already recording 49 incidents up to March 26.

A breakdown of data obtained by the Jamaica Observer from the National Children’s Registry, a division of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), shows that of the 49 incidents reported between January 1 and March 26 this year, January recorded the highest number with 22 cases, followed by 11 in February and 16 in March.

A trend analysis of bullying reports over the last three years further revealed an increase in reports from 2022 to 2025. The data shows that in 2022, there were 130 incidents of bullying reported, with the numbers climbing to 140 in 2023. The year 2024 continued the upward trend with 151 reported incidents, followed by a further increase to 167 incidents in 2025.

The latest incident of alleged bullying was broadcast across social media platforms over the weekend sparking outrage from the public. The video showed students of Jamaica College in St Andrew in uniform violently assaulting a peer. The boys’ school said last evening that the behaviour depicted in the video was “reprehensible and unacceptable”, that the boys pictured were identified, and that all students involved will now appear before Jamaica College’s Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action in accordance with the school’s established procedures.

Minister for Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dana Morris Dixon has condemned the incident, describing the events as disturbing. An investigation has been launched into the viral video, she said.

Parliamentary Secretary in the ministry Senator Marlon Morgan, and the Director for Safety and Security in Schools Richard Troupe, along with regional team members, will also be following up with the school to provide therapeutic and other support as needed.

Meanwhile, in response to the data showing increased reports of bullying, Morgan admitted that the figures were concerning. He assured that the ministry continues to wage a campaign to reduce the manifestation of bullying in all forms.

“We will remain undaunted and redouble our efforts, including our resources, human and otherwise, to eradicate the scourge. We know that schools are basically a microcosm of our society, and therefore some of the challenges that manifest at the level of households and indeed communities may spill over into our schools on account of the behaviour of some of the persons who may be predisposed to violence in and around them,” he told the Observer.

“As a Government, we are particularly keen on fostering a culture of peace in the country, and we continue to note that peace doesn’t mean the absence of conflict or dispute. What we mean by peace is that even where disputes and conflicts arise, people utilise appropriate, mature, and responsible ways of dealing with them rather than resorting to violence or engaging in vigilante justice or reprisals, because those things are counter-productive and it just fosters a cyclical culture of violence in the society,” Morgan added.

He stressed that the ministry has a zero-tolerance approach towards bullying and encourages students and all educational stakeholders to resolve conflicts in appropriate ways, utilising channels that are available.

“The ministry continues to work with its partners in many respects, not least through the work of our national coordinator for school safety and security; the police in relation to what is called our school resource officers; and, of course, the clinicians that we have available to the ministry. These are psychologists and other trained professionals that we have retained. As a ministry, we pay those trained professionals, and so they are available to the system to provide support and intervene as we seek to effect behaviour change, certainly in relation to undesired conduct,” said Morgan.

According to Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which Jamaica is a signatory, children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence, including bullying, physical, and mental abuse. Bullying violates fundamental rights to education, health, and dignity, requiring states to take legislative and social measures to prevent it, support victims, and ensure a safe, inclusive environment.

The ministry, in October last year, launched BullyProofJA, a digital campaign aimed at tackling the devastating impact of bullying in schools and communities across Jamaica.

The campaign follows the recent proclamation of October 7 as National Anti-Bullying Day, which the ministry notes was successfully championed in conjunction with the CPFSA. The proclamation, signed by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, reaffirms the nation’s collective resolve to confront bullying in all its forms, and to safeguard the dignity and well-being of children and young people.

According to data from the National Children’s Registry, there were 49 incidents of bullying report from January 2026 to March 26, 2026. 

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Marlon Morgan assured that the ministry continues to wage a campaign to reduce the manifestation of bullying in all forms (Photo: Karl Mclarty)