The recent surge in violence targeting schools across Jamaica has prompted urgent calls for improved security measures within educational institutions. Opposition spokesperson on Education, Damion Crawford, voiced his concerns after a series of alarming incidents over the past few days that have put children, educators, and the wider school communities at significant risk.
In a statement, Crawford highlighted a robbery at gunpoint on Thursday at a preparatory school in Kingston, where armed criminals confronted students between the ages of six and 12. While no physical harm was inflicted, the terrifying encounter left lasting emotional scars on the children who were forced to witness such violence.
“While we are thankful that no child was physically harmed, the trauma of seeing armed criminals on their school grounds cannot be underestimated,” Crawford said, emphasizing the long-term psychological impact on young students exposed to such frightening experiences.
Just the following morning, two separate incidents of violence occurred. In Manchester, a school bus driver was tragically murdered at Holmwood Technical High School. Additionally, in St. Andrew, a shooting incident took place outside Rousseau Primary School, resulting in the death of a man believed to be a parent. This marks the second violent death at Rousseau Primary in under a month, raising alarms over the safety of school premises.
“The repeated nature of these incidents, especially at Rousseau Primary, points to an alarming trend of violence creeping into the spaces where our children should feel safest,” Crawford added.
To address these rising threats, Crawford has called for immediate government action, specifically the establishment of “Safe Spaces” around key institutions such as schools, hospitals, and transportation hubs. These zones would ensure a constant police presence with scheduled patrols, significantly reducing the risk of crime in the vicinity.
Furthermore, the Opposition is advocating for harsher penalties for crimes committed within a 400-meter radius of these Safe Spaces, in an effort to deter criminal activity near educational facilities.
“The safety of our children and educators must be a national priority,” said Crawford. “Our teachers deserve to work in environments free from fear, and our students need the assurance that their schools are sanctuaries for learning, not places where violence looms.”
The Opposition is calling on the Government to take swift action and ensure that those responsible for these violent crimes are apprehended and held accountable. Despite these recent tragedies, Crawford stressed the importance of collaboration between the Government and the Opposition to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to secure the safety and well-being of all those within the education system.
“The current state of insecurity in our schools reflects a broader issue that requires immediate attention. We cannot afford to wait any longer to make the changes necessary to protect our children, our educators, and the future of our nation,” he concluded.
