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

“Jazz music is the power of now. There is no script. It’s conversation. The emotion is given to you by musicians as they make split-second decisions to fulfill what they feel the moment requires.” Wynton Marsalis. Did you know there is an International Day for Jazz? April 30 is International Jazz Day. The day is commemorated globally to promote dialogue, tolerance and peace through music. Jazz is a famous music genre that started in America’s New Orleans. Jazz music is extremely flexible and is closely related to the blues music genre. Jazz is rather soothing; listening to this genre of music is the ultimate relaxation one could ask for. Unlike some other genres of music with disturbing and distasteful lyrics, the genre of Jazz music is sheer sophistication and suitable for the entire family to enjoy. Some of the most popular jazz artists include Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. History of Jazz Jazz Observer gives a comprehensive histo...

“Empowering girls to choose a career in ICTs is not just good for girls and their families, it can be a major accelerator of socio-economic development at the national level.”- Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. Historically, girls and young women were not encouraged to enter the career paths associated with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) approximately 1 billion girls and women lack skills to succeed in today’s digital world. These statistics are even more troubling when one considers that in some countries such as Afghanistan girls are forcibly discouraged from accessing an education by the Taliban led government. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #5 addresses gender equality. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. There has been progress over the last decade...

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the multiple crises it has caused, a growing number of countries are approaching and achieving malaria elimination. Malaria can be defeated. Each year, malaria claims the lives of more than 400,000 people, mainly young children in Africa. With robust political commitment, adequate investment and the right mix of strategies, we can reach our common goal of a world free of malaria.”- António Guterres- UN Secretary-General. Malaria is a preventable and curable disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) nearly half of the world’s population is at risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World Malaria Day each year on 25 April to highlight the collective energy and commitment of the global malaria community in uniting around the common goal of a world free of malaria. According to the WHO there is no single tool available to solve the problem of malaria. Innovative new tools are vital if the world is to achieve global eliminat...

“On the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, I call on all governments and leaders to renew their commitment to dialogue and global solutions that are the only sustainable path for peace.”- UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The commemoration of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is rather timely this year given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent war. The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace was established on 12 December, 2018. According to the United Nations (UN) preserving the values of multilateralism and international cooperation, which underpin the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is fundamental to promote and support the three pillars of the UN: peace and security, development and human rights. Multilateralism is the process of organizing relations between groups of three or more states. Multilateralism is generally considered to comprise certain qualitat...

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”- Dolores Huerta. There is a huge void regarding advocacy surrounding our planet Earth. Many of us take our planet for granted. Then there are those who are oblivious to matters concerning the environment. It is often said that the environment is not a sexy topic for decision. Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action. Nature is suffering. The plant’s oceans are filling with plastic and turning more acidic. Extreme heat, wildfires and floods, have affected millions of people. Many of us have experienced more severe hurricanes and flooding. Recently, we saw images of death and destruction in South Africa due to flooding. Regrettably, in the midst of the havoc created by climate change and global warming there are still those who continue to spread conspiracy theories regarding climate change and global warming. Climate change, man-made changes to natur...

“Teachers are the single most important factor affecting how much students learn. More than just conduits of information, they equip children with the tools to analyze, problem solve and effectively use information.”- World Bank. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced school closure globally, school administrators had to quickly shift gears and rethink how best they could manage their schools in order for teaching and learning to continue. Instructional leadership skills which are needed to improve student learning is very much lacking not only in the public education system but also private. Regrettably, some school administrators are ill-equipped in this very important skill set. The education system urgently needs a seismic shift regarding school leadership. It appears that too much focus rests on administrative tasks at the expense of culture building and transformational leadership. Too much time and resources are often spent covertly and overtly in schemes crafted to divide staff ...

“He is not here: for He is risen, as he said. Come; see the place where the Lord lay.”- St. Matthew 28:6. Another Lenten period has ended and our souls have been enriched because of Jesus’ love towards us that while we were yet sinners He died for us. The above-mentioned words in the gospel of St. Matthew by the angel of the Lord more than 2 centuries ago still resonate with Christians and non-Christians alike. The world today is as much troubled as it was during the Biblical times when our Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth. As it was then we are faced with wars, rumours of wars, famine, malice, murders, rape, arson, genocide, human trafficking, theft and the list goes on indefinitely. Easter is a time of renewal and hope. There is spirit of renewed hope for humanity during Easter. Unfortunately, we have seen the last few Easters being commemorated during times of global turmoil, this year is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yet, even the horrors of war cannot diminish the message an...

“The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.”- Michelangelo. It is often said that art of itself is a language. The artist is able to communicate with his or her brush a myriad of messages and meanings. The visual language is as much misunderstood as it is understood. Nevertheless art is beautiful. Each year, on 15 April, World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states that World Art Day is an occasion to shine a light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave the way for inclusive and equitable education. Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for all peoples across the globe and plays an important role in sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity and dialogue. These a...

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”- St. Matthew 21:1-3. Many of us have been through countless Palm Sundays. Unfortunately, for too many Palm Sunday has become just another Sunday. Palm Sunday has become a day to adorn ourselves in the best clothes in the closet and sprint off to our favourite place of worship where we have all become overly comfortable. The truth is we have all drifted away from Christ; clearly some more than others. Sadly, even those among the clergy have lost their way. We live in a secular world where material acquisitions and possessions have become the number one currency and priority. Religion and spirituality have taken a back seat. Disappointingly, th...

“It is extremely concerning that, despite the evident and increasing need for mental health services, which has become even more acute during the COVID-19 pandemic, good intentions are not being met with investment.”- Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. Prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic, many of us took our state of mental wellness for granted. The World Health Organization’s new Mental Health Atlas paints a dismal picture of a worldwide failure to provide people with the mental health services they need, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting a growing need for mental health support. The latest edition of the Atlas, which includes data from 171 countries, provides a clear indication that the increased attention given to mental health in recent years has yet to result in a scale-up of quality mental services that is aligned with needs. Those of us who work in the education system are very much aware of the high stress levels, ...

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."- Native American Proverb. We should all be concerned about the state of our global health. We are all responsible for the decaying situation of our planet. We have all added to the contaminated air, the noise pollution and the environment mess we now find ourselves in. Governments over the decades have turned a blind eye to matters concerning the environment and as such we are now paying dearly for their inaction. World Health Day is celebrated yearly on 7 April to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Each year a theme is chosen that highlights an area of priority concern for the WHO. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, a polluted planet, and an increasing incidence of diseases, the theme for World Health Day 2022 is Our Planet, Our Health. This call from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the WHO, and partners, presents a...

“Many people with autism still live in isolation, discriminated against and disconnected from their communities or even in their own homes. This World Autism Awareness Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive, equitable & sustainable world for people with autism.”- António Guterres, United Nations Secretary- General. Almost every family has at least one member who is autistic. Autism is still shrouded in mystery; some argue that environmental factors are the root cause, while others differ. What we do know is that the diagnosis of autism is becoming more frequent in the world. It is not uncommon for siblings to be autistic. It appears that once a mother has one autistic child the likelihood of having another autistic child increases. We are now at a juncture where more information concerning this developmental disorder is available. A recent interaction with a single mother of an autistic child allowed me some insight into this developmental disorder. The mother was at...