Learn emotional intelligence to reduce school violence

Emotional intelligence is just as essential as academic knowledge, but often takes a back seat in our education system.

We focus on teaching students a wide range of subjects, preparing them to excel in exams and secure well-paying jobs. But what about equipping them to manage their emotions, manage stress or resolve conflict? If we don’t prioritize emotional intelligence at school, we risk setting our children up for failure – not in exams, but in life. The violence, bullying and mental health issues we see in Jamaica’s classrooms are not isolated incidents; they reflect a deeper problem: the crucial gap in our education system when it comes to teaching emotional well-being, empathy and effective communication.

The crisis we cannot ignore

I am deeply disturbed by the brutal reports of schoolchildren resorting to violence against each other. It is beyond disturbing that our educational spaces, which should be places of growth and learning, are marred by incidents of students wielding weapons and harming their peers.

Recent news reports provide sobering reminders of escalating violence among Jamaican youth. In April 2014, a tragic incident occurred at Irwin High School in St James, where a 14-year-old was arrested for fatally stabbing a 15-year-old classmate following an altercation. Similarly, in May 2020, a 17-year-old boy was charged with the murder of a 20-year-old student, Akeilia White, in Manchester. More recently, in October 2024, a 16-year-old student was hospitalized after being stabbed by a classmate during an altercation at Porus High School, reportedly during a dispute over $200.

These are not just one-off cases. A look at recent history paints a disturbing picture. In 2023, the Jamaican observer reported a disturbing case involving an 8th grade student, Jahiem Colman, who was knocked unconscious by an 11th grade student. The altercation allegedly started after Jaheim accidentally stepped on the older student’s Clarks shoes. Furthermore, in May 2024, Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams reported 55 violence-related incidents between January 2022 and 2023 in 50 schools – 15 primary schools and 35 secondary schools.

And what about those that are not reported? This pattern of escalating conflict in schools calls for urgent intervention.

In response to this crisis, Secretary Williams has outlined several prevention efforts to combat escalating violence in schools. Its plans include a safety and security policy that implements physical security measures such as student bag searches and training programs for staff to help them recognize warning signs.

The plan also emphasizes guidance for at-risk students; developing crisis and emergency plans; and assigning roles to students, parents, and the community to resolve conflict constructively. In addition, School Resource Officers (SRO) will conduct searches upon request, conduct regular school visits, patrol surrounding areas before and after school, and monitor city centers to prevent loitering.

While these initiatives are steps in the right direction, they primarily address the symptoms of violence rather than its root causes. Safety measures alone cannot equip students with the emotional skills needed to manage their feelings and resolve conflict before it escalates. Real change will only happen if we focus on building emotional intelligence and training in conflict resolution.

As a leadership consultant, I have seen firsthand how emotional intelligence determines the success of leaders. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can handle conflict more efficiently, manage stress effectively and inspire their teams. Now imagine if we equip students with these skills early on. The impact on their academic success and potential future leaders would be profound, preparing them for excellence in school and in life.

What is emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is not a buzzword; it is a survival skill. The father of emotional intelligence, Daniel Goleman, defines it as the ability to recognize, understand and manage our emotions and those of others.

Those with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to communicate, empathize, and resolve conflict. Unfortunately, many adults struggle with these skills and often face misunderstandings and escalated tensions in their interactions. So how can we reasonably expect children and young people to develop these essential emotional competencies without structured guidance?

Emotional intelligence includes four key skills:

1) Self-awareness: This involves recognizing and understanding one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and values. It allows individuals to understand how their feelings influence their thoughts and behavior.

2) Self-management: This refers to regulating and controlling one’s emotions, especially in stressful situations. It includes skills such as impulse control, adaptability, and a positive outlook, which allow individuals to respond constructively to challenges.

3) Social awareness: This involves recognizing and understanding the emotions of others. It includes empathy, which allows individuals to tune into the feelings and needs of those around them to develop better interpersonal relationships.

4) Relationship Management: This includes the skills needed to build and maintain healthy relationships. It includes effective communication, conflict resolution, teamwork and positively influencing others.

What Jamaica needs to do

We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, social and emotional learning (SEL) programs are becoming the norm and have shown measurable success in reducing bullying and improving academic outcomes. Jamaica can and must follow suit.

One study found that students who participated in SEL programs demonstrated improved social and emotional skills, better attitudes, improved behavior, and improved academic performance, with an average gain of 11 percentage points in academic performance compared to non-participants.

The first meta-analysis study included 213 SEL programs as well as 270,034 students from kindergarten through high school. The research also shows that teachers with strong social-emotional competencies contribute to a more positive learning environment, which increases the effectiveness of SEL interventions. Therefore, continued professional development is recommended for teachers to build their capacity to teach emotional intelligence.

The way forward

It’s time for our education system to reflect the full scope of what it means to be prepared for life. We need to develop programs that explicitly teach students how to manage their emotions, show empathy, and resolve conflict. These can be integrated into existing topics or introduced as standalone modules.

Teacher training is also crucial. Our teachers must be equipped to teach, model, and strengthen emotional intelligence in the classroom. They need to be able to recognize when students are having emotional difficulties and know how to support them. However, the ministry must make the right resources available for this.

If we continue to ignore the emotional development of our youth, we will only see more violence, more mental health crises, and more distant students. The Ministry of Education must act now to make emotional intelligence a core part of the Jamaican school experience.

Dr. Shalieka Burris is a lecturer in academic literacy at the University of Technology, Jamaica. She is a leadership consultant specializing in team development, emotional intelligence and organizational growth. She is also trained as a guidance counselor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or [email protected].