School Anti-Gang Week from November 10 to November 16

According to the Jamaica Information Service, the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), through its Safety and Security in Schools Unit, will observe Anti-Gang Week from November 10 to November 16, under the theme ‘Follow the TREND, Bring Gang Inna Schools to an End.’

This observance will be conducted in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime (CTOC) Investigation Branch, along with the Community Safety and Security Branch. The annual observance aims to raise awareness and promote a collective response to the increasing concern of gang presence within educational institutions.

Activities for Anti-Gang Week will commence with a service at the Pembroke Hall Methodist Church in Kingston on Sunday, November 10.

Richard Troupe, Director of the Safety and Security in Schools Unit at the MoESYI, informed JIS News that the Ministry is particularly apprehensive regarding the presence and prevalence of gangs in educational environments, particularly those situated in volatile communities.

He emphasized that schools located in such areas are at an elevated risk of gang influence, rendering this week of sensitization even more imperative.

“We recognize that the issues of gangs in schools are multifaceted, and through this week of activities, we aim to not only highlight the dangers of gang involvement, but also provide students with alternatives that will empower them to make positive choices for their futures,” Mr. Troupe said.

Other activities scheduled for the week will involve Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) teachers conducting lessons focused on gang prevention on Tuesday, November 12.

During this event, teachers will document the number of lessons delivered and the number of students impacted, thereby enabling an evaluation of the intervention’s effectiveness.

Furthermore, the Ministry will collaborate with the CVM Television School Fest for the Unity Over Violence School Tour, which will include a visit to the St. Andrew Technical High School on Wednesday, November 13.

Schools in the vicinity are being invited to engage in a series of discussions and activities designed to educate students about the dangers associated with gang involvement.

Additionally, on November 13, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MoESYI) will partner with the Ministry of Justice to facilitate Restorative Justice School-based training. This initiative will target 20 schools across the island, concentrating on conflict resolution and the development of positive, non-violent relationships.

Meanwhile, the annual anti-gang concert at Tivoli Gardens High School, organized by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 15.

Mr. Troupe stated that the event will include law enforcement officers interacting with students through various forms of entertainment, thereby fostering an opportunity for students to perceive police officers more favorably, while simultaneously encouraging them to refrain from gang involvement.

“The Ministry sees anti-gang week as an essential platform for public education and the promotion of safe, supportive school environments. The activities will also provide students with the opportunity to express themselves, celebrate their talents, and engage in positive activities that reinforce the importance of a gang-free school life,” he explained.

“Through this partnership with law enforcement and other stakeholders, the MoESYI is committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe havens for learning, free from the disruptive influence of gangs. Our long-term goal is to create an enabling environment where all students can thrive without fear of violence,” Mr. Troupe added.

The ‘Follow the TREND, Bring Gangs Inna Schools to an End’ theme embodies the Ministry’s vision of creating a safe and secure educational space that supports the academic and personal growth of all Jamaican children.