School Violence: Implications for Teachers and Education in the Caribbean

Violence in any form threatens a school’s potential for achieving school objectives. On one hand, students’ learning is compromised by disruptive outbreaks of violence, and on the other, the professional engagement of teachers and their occupational wellness are strained. This chapter provides a snapshot of the prevalence of school violence in the Caribbean. It uses general strain theory and social disorganisation theory to explore the effects of school violence on the teaching and learning modality of education in the Caribbean. A diversified systemic perspective of the accumulative factors of student disengagement, and the structures of school violence are discussed to better understand the salient implications for education. Finally, the chapter attempts to make recommendations for the restoration of a safe school environment.