Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education and Youth, says she believes that violence does not originate in schools as a child's environment, socialisation, and approach to resolving conflicts are factors contributing to violence in schools.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson said on Thursday, that the government is now trying to resolve the issue of violence from an early childhood level by teaching children how to interact with people and how to peacefully resolve conflicts.

The Education Minister was speaking at the Early Childhood and Primary Symposium hosted by the Science and Mathematics Education Centre in the Department of Educational Studies, at Medallion Hall in St. Andrew.

Addressing the issue of violence, Mrs. Henry-Wilson said a number of factors have contributed to violence in schools. She attributed the literacy level of students to being one of the factors for which she said government is this year trying to implement an early intervention programme in schools, rather than during summer camps.

She said summer camps alone will not make students literate.

"We can't make them literate in summer, we can only enhance their mastery, two weeksalone is not enough," the Education Minister said.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson also stated that violence is a way of life for many students, and the ministry is currently dealing with parental policies and is working with some of the stakeholders.

NO TIME FRAME

In reference to schools that still utilise latrines, lack of, and poor infrastructure in schools, the Education Minister said the ministry has a full list of schools that are using pit toilets and are aware of the fact that there are many areas without running water.