More than 12, 500 cases of child abuse were reported in Jamaica between April last year and March this year.

Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams made the disclosure while speaking at Tuesday’s Education Conference hosted by the Jamaica Teachers Association.

The minister said attention must be placed on fighting against child abuse, as it is contributing to the high level of violence in schools.

Mrs Williams reiterated the government’s aim to reach some 97,000 parents to aid in tackling corporal punishment in homes.