Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the spate of violence in schools is linked to the mental health implications brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the full resumption of face-to-face classes, there have been several acts of violence in schools.

Many students have been wounded in altercations, and one student was stabbed to death by another at the William Knibb High School in Trelawny last month.

Speaking at a recent Diaspora event, Mr. Holness said a return to face-to-face engagements, after being mostly at home for approximately two years, has led to anxiety in the students.

He said efforts are being made to address the mental health of students.