Barbadian Minister of Youth Remarks on School Violence, Emphasizes Collective Effort

Minister of Youth Charles Griffith declared that violent behaviour in Barbadian schools has not spiralled out of control, despite recent incidents.

Speaking at the launch of a youth programme at the Speightstown Resource Centre on Tuesday, Griffith called for a collective effort to address the issue, emphasising the role of parents and community members.

“As Minister of Youth, any violence that involves young people concerns me. I know in recent times, we have seen some flare-ups in a couple of schools, primary and secondary, but I don’t think it is at a level we cannot manage,” he told reporters.

His comments follow three knife events over the past fortnight, including two stabbings at separate secondary schools last week and a primary school student pulling the weapon on another student on Monday.

Griffith stressed the importance of parental responsibility: “The truth is, I believe a lot of it has to do with parenting. The government, the Ministry of Education cannot really be responsible for what is happening within the ranks of our young people.”

The minister called for increased community involvement in mentoring young people.

“It can’t be a situation where I live in a community and see a youngster going astray and I believe that is not my responsibility because they are not my biological child,” he said.

Griffith highlighted government initiatives aimed at supporting parents and young people, including the Parent-Wise Community Project and various youth programmes focusing on agriculture, business, sports, and mentorship.

“The government, through the Ministry of Youth, I think we’re doing what we think is required in order to assist our young people to be on that straight and narrow path,” the minister explained.

He emphasised that these programmes are free, adding: “There’s no excuse for our young people to be going on a deviant path.” (SZB)