No Place in School for Violence, Discrimination – Rev. Thwaites

Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, says the Ministry will not tolerate violence or discrimination in schools.

He said that through the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum, focus is being placed on encouraging positive behaviour among students.

“It…needs to be repeated that there is no place in our schools for violence or bullying based on differences in gender, ethnicity, religion, group identity, place of residence and of sexual orientation. We will not allow persons to be discriminated (against),” he said.

The Minister was addressing the launch of the World Bank’s Next GENDERation media toolkit to tackle gender-based violence on January 28 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston.

He noted that teacher training is an integral part in the reduction of gender-based violence. As such, he said, partnerships are to be forged with various entities to facilitate the training of guidance counsellors and HLFE teachers during safe sex week, to be observed from February 8-12.

The Next GENDERation toolkit aims to contribute to reducing violence in Jamaica by promoting a positive dialogue around gender roles and raising awareness of the link between gender stereotypes and violence among youth.

The resource includes a range of educational videos, animations and material to sensitise young people about issues including bullying, gang and sexual violence. It will also be distributed in schools to teachers, counsellors and social workers.

World Bank Country Manager to Jamaica, Galina Sotirova, said that the toolkit will serve as an entry point for educators, guidance counsellors and facilitators, who want to have discussions about gender-based violence.

The toolkit will also be made available on the youthjamaica.com website.