CITING the use of corporal punishment as one of the reasons for the violence in some schools, Education Minister Andrew Holness on Monday announced that his ministry is in the process of formulating legislation and policies to prohibit such form of punishment in the entire education system.

HOLNESS... Gov't is preaching a message of non-violence

The minister said in the next revision of the Education Act which is currently being developed, all forms of corporal punishment, violence, as well as all humiliating and aggressive disciplinary measures will be prohibited from Jamaican schools.

"Violence in schools, which is oftentimes legitimised by cultural practices and norms, and endorsed by authority figures in the school and in the home, only reinforces the use of violence in the wider society," he said.

The minister was speaking at the opening of the UNICEF Global Capacity Development Programme on Child Friendly Schools for Latin America and the Caribbean in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Deputy Representative for UNICEF Jamaica, Nada Marasovic, said that outlawing corporal punishment in all schools will bring them closer to the organisation's goal of ensuring that the school environment becomes more conducive to learning by 2011.

Holness said that by banning corporal punishment in all schools, the Government would be preaching a message of non-violence to young citizens. He says he is not convinced that corporal punishment is effective in promoting good behaviour, but instead leads to aggression, abuse and assault.

While acknowledging the challenge teachers have in dealing with students in the classroom, Holness said that other non-violent methods of discipline needs to be developed. He says a behaviour management strategy document is currently being prepared for schools.

"We will retool and empower our teachers with non-violent, non- aggressive techniques in classroom management, we will help our school principals to develop systems of discipline and behaviour management," he said.

He said that with the assistance of UNICEF, the Government has been able to make Jamaican schools more child-friendly. The organisation launched its Child Friendly School Model in Jamaica earlier this month, and has been helping the ministry with technical assistance, formulating policies and regulations and providing training and public education.

THIS IS A BAD MOVE!!!