Gov’t Looking to Expand Restorative Justice Practices in Schools

The Government is looking to expand the introduction of restorative justice practices in schools, in a bid to curtail growing incidents of conflicts and violence among students.

Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says his Ministry and the Ministry of Education and Youth have been in discussions, with a view to jointly pursuing this undertaking.

Restorative justice refers to the process of resolving crime by focusing on redressing the harm done to the victims, holding offenders accountable for their actions and, often, also engaging the community in the resolution of that conflict.

Mr. Chuck, who addressed a recent Justice Day in Schools event at Black River High School in St. Elizabeth, highlights the need to expand restorative justice practices in educational institutions, noting the effectiveness of early intervention through mediation in disrupting potentially serious conflicts.

His stance comes against the backdrop of critically troubling developments surfacing, where some students are increasingly resorting to violence as the preferred option for conflict resolution which has sparked very disturbing outcomes within schools.

Just recently, the police charged a 12-year-old male primary school student in Portland for physically assaulting another boy on the compound of the institution they attend.

“Far too many [of these and other types of] incidents are taking place where, maybe, through conflict resolution and mediation, some of them could have been resolved peacefully,” Mr. Chuck tells JIS News.

He notes that engaging in restorative justice practices requires effective communication and active listening, pointing out that students learn how to express their thoughts and feelings constructively and listen attentively to others.

Minister Chuck emphasises that these communication skills are valuable for resolving conflicts and building positive relationships.

“Through restorative justice processes, such as mediation and dialogue, students could listen to each other’s perspectives and feelings. This can help build empathy and understanding, fostering a sense of connection and mutual respect among students. By learning how to communicate openly and respectfully, students can better articulate their needs and concerns during conflicts,” he adds.

Mr. Chuck says both Ministries are committed to assisting in addressing the recent surge of violence in schools across the island.

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, is supportive of the endeavour, noting that the Ministries’ collaboration aims to create a safer and more conducive learning environment for students, ultimately fostering a culture of respect and understanding.

“When students feel supported and heard in resolving conflicts, they are more likely to feel safe and valued within the school community,” she tells JIS News.
Mrs. Williams emphasises that restorative justice offers a holistic approach to conflict resolution that prioritises healing, accountability and relationship-building.

“By empowering students to resolve conflicts peacefully and learn from their experiences, schools can create a more inclusive and harmonious environment for all students to thrive,” she added.