Ministry Condemns Violence in Schools After Two Violent Incidents Leave One Dead

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has expressed sorrow and concern following two violent incidents involving students on Tuesday, including the tragic stabbing death of a grade seven student from Denham Town High School.

The male student was fatally attacked while on his way home, and a schoolgirl has been taken into custody in connection with the incident. On the same day, another female student was assaulted by a peer at the entrance of Oberlin High School, leaving her with multiple facial injuries.

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

Minister of Education Dana Morris Dixon described the events as both “tragic and alarming,” calling for a collective effort to combat violence in schools. “We must come together as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Violence has no place in our schools,” she said. The ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of National Security and other agencies to foster a culture of peace in educational institutions.

In response to the incidents, the ministry announced that its Region One office has dispatched a specialised team to Denham Town and Oberlin High to provide grief counseling and psychological support to affected students, staff, and families.

Additionally, the ministry pledged to conduct a full investigation into both matters and awaits official reports to determine further action. A review of the School Safety Policy has also been promised, along with increased deployment of school resource officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force in schools with high rates of violence.

Principals have been urged to intensify vigilance on school grounds, promote behaviour change initiatives, and emphasize conflict management skills among students.

“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 added.

The recent surge in school violence has raised alarms across Jamaica, sparking calls for a unified approach to safeguard students and restore peace in learning environments.