‘Justice Day in Schools’ Stops at St. Mary High

St. Mary High School was transformed into a hub of information and education on alternative justice services on Friday (September 21) as the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs made the tenth stop in its Justice Day in Schools initiative.

The event, under the theme ‘Justice Fi All A Wi’, was part of measures to increase public awareness about the Ministry’s programmes such as Child Diversion, Restorative Justice and Victim Services.

It included displays set up by various branches of the Ministry as well as other government agencies.

Throughout the day, Host Jenny Jenny kept the audience of teachers and students engaged in high-energy activities, while presenters gave informative talks.

The day ended with an exciting performance by popular artiste and dancer Kaka High Flames.
State Minister in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marisa Dalyrmple-Philibert, who delivered the main address, said that the aim of Justice Day in Schools is to teach discipline and good behaviour among students in educational institutions, “because this is where it begins”.

“The message from the Ministry of Justice is… learn to talk out the problem. Don’t quarrel and don’t fight, and each of you as children must be responsible for each other. Do your lessons well; do well and succeed,” she said.

Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert, who represented Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, encouraged the children to read a book each week and to learn to respect each other’s differences.

“Sort your differences out because we are different; all of us are different but, we can learn to live with each other and respect each other’s views,” she said.

For her part, Principal, Christine Wright, thanked the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for bringing the important engagement to the school community.

“Today, our school compound is more than a place of teaching and learning. Today it becomes a space for dialogue, reflection, civic awareness, and a deeper understanding of what it means to live together as responsible citizens,” she said.

She reminded the students that their choices matter today, “and the Jamaica that we will have tomorrow is being shaped by the values you will develop today”

“The presence of our national and community leaders and various agencies represented here sends a powerful message to our students. [This event] is an opportunity to plant seeds – seeds of awareness, of responsibility, of integrity and courage, but most importantly, seeds of hope,” she added.

Since the inception of Justice Day in Schools, more than 7,000 students from schools across the island have been sensitised about the services offered by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.