The Intersection of Gender, Culture and Education: Jamaica: The Next 50 Years!

“Globalization is not a monolithic force but an evolving set of consequences-some good, some bad and some unintended. It is the new reality”. - John B. Larson The Faculty of Humanities and Education, School of Education had its Third Biennial Errol Miller Lecture last Thursday, September 14, 2017 at the UWI Regional Headquarters.   A number of luminaries in the fields of education, politics and religion and well-wishers braved the inclement weather to attend the address to honour the work of scholar and educator, Professor Errol Miller. Miller is perhaps best known for his research on Men at Risk and Marginalization of the Black Male. Miller, who is a   former president of the Jamaica Teachers Association, is often described as a trail-blazer in the field of education. He is the first graduate of both the University of the West Indies Masters and PhD in Education programme as well as the first Chancellor of the Mico University College. Miller’s work and research has taken...

Jamaica’s geographical location makes the island not only prone to hurricanes but also earthquakes. We must come to grips with this reality, a truth in which the State will be called upon to provide more shelters as the intensity of hurricanes increases due to global warming and climate change. Our ever expanding collection of unplanned settlements, mainly due to the inability to afford home, clearly put the citizenry at particular risks. The time has come for the society to invest in constructing shelters in each parish instead of using schools which often leaves these educational institutions in a state of despair after the evacuees leave for home. Additionally, the State also needs to ensure that some of the public shelters are pet- friendly. In many instances people are forced to leave their pets at home not knowing how long they will be holed up in a shelter or who will care for their pets during their absence. Benefits of Having a Pet Research indicates that there are numerous ...

“Hope is a necessity for normal life and the major weapon against the suicide impulse”- Karl A. Menninger According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 800,000 people die annually due to suicide.   The WHO reports that in 2015 suicide was the second leading cause of death among the 15-29 year old population. Unfortunately, as depression in the society increases it is very likely there will be more attempts at suicide. Research also points to an association between suicide and mental disorders. The rate of suicide is also high among vulnerable groups which experience discrimination, such as, refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and those who are incarcerated. Suicide in men has been described as a "silent epidemic", epidemic because of its high incidence and substantial contribution to men's mortality. Males are particularly at risk at taking their lives due to how they are socialized to be macho. This macho-in...

“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere”-Mary Schmich September 8 th was proclaimed International Literacy Day by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the 14th session of UNESCO General Conference in 1966.   The aim of such an important day is to highlight the challenges people face across the globe regarding literacy issues, as well as to bring awareness of literacy not only to individuals but to societies and communities. Alarmingly, more than 775 million adults lack minimum literacy skills. The lack of literacy skills among the global population also has a sex disaggregate component since women account for two- thirds of those who are illiterate.   According to the United Nations the global youth literacy number stands at 103 million, with more than 60 per cent of that figure being women.    The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 addresses the issue of inclusive and quality education for all the promoti...