Discipline is meant to correct children, not humiliate them or leave physical scars.

That point was made by former State Minister for Youth, Alando Terrelonge, at the opening ceremony for the national preparation session for the Global Minister Conference on ending violence against children.

Mr. Terrelonge pointed out that violence begets violence.

He said in most cases, violence against children begins at home, with adults who verbally and physically abuse children, in the name of discipline.

The minister stressed that parents should use positive discipline.

The preparation session, hosted by the Ministry of Education and Youth, will facilitate examination of initiatives on ending violence against children in Jamaica, and their impact.

This ahead of the global ministerial conference, to be held in Colombia, in November.

Jamaica became a signatory to the global partnership in 2016, as part of the sustainable development goal 2030.