PM Holness says restoring Jamaica’s core values is key to tackling school violence and maintaining social stability

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has emphasised that restoring and reinforcing Jamaica’s foundational values are crucial not only for addressing school violence but also for maintaining social stability.

His comment comes in the wake of increased violent incidents involving children, including the stabbing death of 14-year-old Seaforth High student Kayland Doyle in St. Thomas on April 20.

Emphasising the critical role of the family in shaping behaviour and values, Dr. Holness underscored the need for stronger parental involvement in guiding young people.

The Prime Minister stated that parents must assume a more active and deliberate role in the upbringing of their children.

Dr. Holness added that without that foundation, there is a risk of raising a generation that is exposed to knowledge but lacks the context, discipline and moral grounding to apply it responsibly.

He called for urgent and decisive parental intervention to address the growing incidence of violence and anti-social behaviour among students, warning that Jamaica is confronting a broader erosion of core social values.