MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Against the backdrop of concerns over bullying in schools, leaders here spearheaded an anti-bullying march through the town of Mandeville, which included students from 15 institutions, last Friday.

Director at the Ministry of Education’s Region 5, which comprises Manchester and St Elizabeth, Susan Nelson Smith used the march to urge students to be upstanding in their strive for academic success, and to be peace ambassadors.

“We marched to say we are against bullying in schools. We are not here to say we are going to push it under the carpet. It is something that we are going to face, it is something that we are going to work together to ensure that it doesn’t happen in our schools — especially in the region of champions,” said Nelson Smith while pointing to the more than 50,000 students enrolled in schools across Region 5.

“When you think about school, you should think about somewhere that is like home, or even better than home, because you are safe, you are protected by your teachers and, most importantly, you are heard,” added Nelson Smith.

Bishop Gibson High School for Girls student Rhonda Kate-Grant (right) displays the trophy she copped in the 12–14 age category of the 2025/2026 Make Jamaica Bully-Free Poster Competition last month. Sharing the moment is the school’s Dean of Discipline Clover Davis. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

She implored the students gathered at Manchester High on Friday to recognise the significance of the anti-bullying march.

“I hope you understand how symbolic this march is… When you go to school we want you to be safe from bullying. Bullying can be verbal, physical, and there is also cyber bullying… A child who feels bullied is a child who cannot succeed academically, and that is why we are saying to you that we are against bullying. We want to hear from you,” she said while encouraging students to report signs of intimidation to school administrators and teachers.

“You have a responsibility to not just stand by when you see it happening. If it is a fight, we don’t want you to get involved to get yourselves hurt but make the report. If you know a child is being bullied, make a report. Don’t take out the phone to video what is going on. Go to the responsible adult — you have your teachers, your grade supervisors,” Nelson Smith pointed out.

During Friday’s event two high schoolers — Rhonda Kate-Grant and Rickalia Nelson — were recognised for their efforts in bringing awareness to bullying in schools.

Director of the Ministry of Education’s Region Five Susan Nelson Smith addressing students at Manchester High last Friday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Twelve-year-old Grant, a first-form student at Bishop Gibson High School for Girls, won the 12–14 age category of the 2025/2026 Make Jamaica Bully-Free Poster Competition, hosted by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) last month.

Nelson, 12, a first-form student at Manchester High School, authored a book titled Sowing Seeds of Kindness in Schools, geared towards guiding students away from bullying.

School safety and security coordinator for Region 5 Angella Davidson commended both students as she pointed to the significance of the anti-bullying initiatives.

“To further bring kindness into the classroom we will be having random acts of kindness introduced in the region. It will last for a period of one week,” said Davidson.

Manchester High student Rickalia Nelson addressing her peers on the anti-bulling theme last Friday.(Photo: Kasey Williams)