Jamaican health authorities are issuing a compelling call to parents and guardians, urging them to actively foster peaceful conflict-resolution techniques and advocate for healthy habits among students to safeguard a secure and effective academic environment. Gerald Miller, Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, emphasized in an interview with JIS News that although disagreements are a natural part of school life, resorting to violence as a solution is unacceptable and carries significant public health risks. He stressed the critical importance of children seeking adult intervention, particularly from teachers, when conflicts emerge, rather than attempting to handle disputes independently. Miller warned that student-initiated resolutions can rapidly intensify, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities, which subsequently burden the healthcare system with preventable medical cases. Beyond conflict, Miller reiterated the necessity of sustained vigilance against communicable diseases in educational settings. He highlighted fundamental hygiene practices—such as covering coughs and sneezes and maintaining thorough handwashing with soap and water—as vital measures to curb virus transmission. Miller also cautioned against touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands to prevent direct germ transfer. Adherence to these protocols, he noted, is key to minimizing avoidable visits to medical facilities, thereby alleviating pressure on Jamaica’s health infrastructure and ensuring student safety throughout the school term.
Parents urged to reinforce peaceful conflict resolution and healthy behaviours among students
