Children’s advocate concerned about pattern of extreme aggression among students

Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon-Harrison is raising concern about a pattern of extreme aggression among students and the urgent need for character education.

Her statement follows two recent incidents at different St. Ann schools.

In the latest incident yesterday, a 13-year-old boy reportedly hit a 12-year-old school-mate in the head with a metal chair.

The injured student remains in serious but stable condition.

The accused is in custody.

This is the second incident this month in the parish involving a student being struck in the head with a chair.

On March 4, 16-year-old Devonie Shearer, a Grade 10 student of Ocho Rios High was wounded in a similar incident.

The alleged attacker was charged with murder and appeared in court yesterday.

He remains in custody.

Mrs. Gordon-Harrison said these incidents highlight a broader issue that many teenagers lack the skills to pursue meaningful conflict resolution.

She noted that all schools have a duty of care to their students and that responsibility must be upheld to protect their safety and well-being.

She said her office is probing the latest incident to ensure that duty was properly discharged.