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

Increasingly, teachers globally are being asked to enter domains outside of their scope and professional training and this raises ethical questions. While many educators willingly execute these additional duties the truth is a significant number of such duties raise ethical and legal questions. The term educational ethics denotes the sub-field of applied ethics which incorporates debate about the scope, purposes and theories of professional ethics in teaching and the moral work of teachers. Educational ethics is a field which considers ethical problems and dilemmas specific to the complexities of education, with a view to assisting educators, educational policy-makers and school communities to clarify these context-specific problems and make ethical recommendations for their resolution. The fact that ethics has many nuances is not a reason for the teacher to throw ethics through the door. The ethical dimension of teaching is ever-present and as part of teachers’ professional ethics, i...

”Global hunger isn’t about the absence of food. It’s about the presence of entrenched injustice.”- Ray Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America. The international community is precariously perched regarding food security and hunger. More than eight per cent of the world population or around 673 million people are not getting enough to eat and going hungry. The United Nations adds that 30% of all food produced globally is lost or wasted annually. These statistics are alarming and should serve as a call to action. This year’s World Food Day should therefore take on an added significance to address global hunger and food security. World Food Day is observed annually on October 16th. The day is set aside to raise global awareness about hunger, malnutrition, and the pressing need for sustainable food systems. World Food Day serves as a reminder that access to safe and nutritious food is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. The day unites nations, communities, and individuals in reaf...

In a world steeped in patriarchy the worth of rural women is oftentimes undervalued and underappreciated. Despite this, women make up close to 40% of global agricultural labour force according to a 2023 United Nations report. Women and girls in rural areas suffer disproportionately from multi-dimensional poverty. Unquestionably, they are as productive and enterprising as their male counterparts but are less able to access land, credit, agricultural inputs, markets, and high-value agrifood chains and obtain lower prices for their crops. Disturbingly, structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political participation in rural households and communities. Women and girls in rural areas lack equal access to productive resources and assets, public services, such as education and health care, and infrastructure, including water and sanitation, while much of their labour remains invisible and unpaid. Globally, with few excepti...

“Every girl, everywhere, deserves equality, opportunity, and dignity.”- UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. Historically and culturally, girls have been regarded as less important. In some cultures, female fetuses are aborted as girls are seen as a burden on families. This entrenched discrimination against girls has grown over the years. In Afghanistan girls are not permitted to have an education beyond grade 6. Alarmingly, 80% of school-aged Afghan girls and women are out of school. Many are forced into marriages. This retrograde policy by the Taliban controlled government has restricted and suspended the human rights of girls. Across the globe, gender equality is frowned upon, giving rise to a rigid culture of patriarchy and control over the bodies and minds of girls. Too many girls do not have a safe space whether at home or at school. Oftentimes, schools are sites for conflict and trauma. Girls are frequently bullied and abused. Unfortunately, in many spaces, bullying has beco...

One out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime, according to a large-scale study co-led by researchers from Harvard Medical School and the University of Queensland. The study showed that the most common mental illnesses were mood disorders, such as major depression or anxiety, and that the risk of certain mental disorders differed by sex. The three most common mental health disorders among women were: depression, specific phobia a disabling anxiety that interferes with daily life and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The three most common mental health disorders among men were: alcohol abuse, depression and specific phobia. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 1 billion people are living with mental health disorders with conditions such as anxiety and depression contributing to immense human and economic tolls. While many countries have strengthened their mental health policies and programmes, greater investme...

Vision impairment remains a significant global public health concern. Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. Good vision significantly enhances overall well-being, academic performance, employment opportunities, and economic productivity. The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness at a global level are refractive errors and cataracts. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the prevalence of distance vision impairment in low- and middle-income regions is estimated to be 4 times higher than in high-income regions. With regards to near vision, rates of unaddressed near vision impairment are estimated to be greater than 80% in western, eastern and central sub-Saharan Africa, while comparative rates in high-income regions of North America, Australasia, western Europe, and of Asia-Pacific are reported to be lower than 10%. In La...

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite imagination, and instill love for learning.” – Brad Henry. The teaching profession is oftentimes referred to as the noble profession yet there is nothing noble regarding how teachers are treated. Teachers play vital roles in education systems, spearheading learning, inclusion, and modernism in schools and societies. However many teachers work without collaborative structures to support their pedagogy, agency, professionalism or well-being. In many education systems, the profession remains marked by isolation, fragmented structures and limited opportunities to build networks with peers, mentors and ineffective school leaders, affecting both student outcome and teacher retention. World Teachers’ Day is held annually on October 5 to celebrate all teachers around the globe. The day is set aside to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully execute their talent and vocation, and to rethi...

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”- Ezekiel 18:4. Soul ties are formed any time and every time there is intimacy in a relationship. Soul ties are a form of spiritual bondage that both Believers and Nonbelievers fall prey to. The concept of a "soul tie" from certain religious and spiritual perspectives suggests a powerful, lasting spiritual bond created through sexual intimacy, which is seen as a covenant. In this view, engaging in sexual activity with multiple partners (a "high body count") is believed to weaken these soul ties with each encounter, leaving fragments of each partner's "soul" with the individual. This can result in a feeling of spiritual or emotional damage, as the person's spiritual "resource" is distributed among many partners. The conversations surrounding soul ties have been ongoing. Each person has a different understanding...

Bullying is the intentional act to belittle and dehumanize an individual. Bullying takes on various forms from cyber bullying to bullying in schools. Bullying inflicts deep-seated emotional and psychological harm that can last a lifetime resulting in low self-esteem, decreased academic performance and social isolation. Sadly, there is a permissive culture of bullying where bullying behaviours are tolerated, normalized and even rewarded. As a result, many turn a blind eye to this crippling and debilitating social issue. The historical and systemic inequalities in the education system lend themselves to anxiety and depression for stakeholders. Therefore, it should come as no surprises that there is an uptick in deaths by suicide among Jamaican students. Many students feel unsupported and overwhelmed. In 2022, 64 suicides were recorded, moving up from 51 in 2021. Males continue to outnumber females regarding suicides. We oftentimes discount the psychological well being of our students. ...

“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”- Plato. The general elections are over. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been returned to government with a reduced number of seats in the Lower House of Parliament at 35. The People’s National Party (PNP) however doubled their seats to 28. The Dr.Andrew Holness led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been re-elected to form the Government for a record third consecutive term in the party’s history, following victory in the General Election held on Wednesday (September 3), while, the Mark Golding led People’s National Party will once again be in opposition for a third consecutive term. Both political parties engaged in a robust and spirited campaign. Both political parties were able to bring out hundreds of supporters to their various rallies across the length and breadth of Jamaica. Importantly, the size at a political rally is not a true indicator regarding which party wi...

“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.”- Coach Elaine Hall. There remain a lot of unknown elements to autism. As a result, autism continues to be surrounded in a culture of myths, superstition and misconceptions. Regrettably, since the start of this year we have had the deaths of a number of autistic children, one boy was found in a pit in the back of his yard and another discovered in a locked car. Unfortunately, there is also much stigma and discrimination regarding those who are in the autistic community. Many parents of autistic children are frustrated. Among the reasons for such frustration are access and affordability to get autistic children enrolled in schools. Evidently, there are not adequate spaces within the public education system to accommodate autistic children. The cost associated for private tuition for autistic children can be prohibitive. Additionally, the situation in the rural areas is worse...

Alarmingly, it is estimated that 720,000 suicides occur per year worldwide. Suicide remains a devastating global and public health issue. More Jamaicans are committing suicide. In 2022, 64 suicides were recorded, moving up from 51 in 2021. Males continue to outnumber females regarding suicides. World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed annually on September 10. The day is set aside to raise global awareness and spur action to prevent suicides. Importantly, the day was established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003. This year’s theme is “Changing the narrative on suicide.” Is there a need to change the narrative? Changing the narrative is critical in fostering a culture of empathy and compassion for those who are struggling with their mental health. In a culture that is quick to judge, changing the narrative means listening and guiding individuals where possible towards help. There exists a myriad of...

Too many of our students are operating at the frustration level regarding reading and the acquisition of techniques needed to decipher words into meaning. A significant number of these students are enrolled in schools, yet they continue to struggle with literacy. Additionally, too many untrained teachers are coerced to give instruction in literacy and this is worrying. Each year on International Literacy Day the global attention turns to literacy. However, after the excitement and ceremonies associated with the day those who are non-readers remain in their state of despair and frustration. International Literacy Day is observed on September 8. This year’s theme is “Promoting literacy in the digital era.” History of International Literacy Day . International Literacy Day was first conceived at the “World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy” held in Tehran, Iran in 1965. The following year UNESCO took the lead and declared September 8 as International ...

“Acquiring literacy is an empowering process, enabling millions to enjoy access to knowledge and information that broadens horizons, increases opportunities and creates alternatives for building a better life.”- Kofi Annan. As the society navigates the infancy of the 2025/2026 academic year a number of issues have been carried forward which require urgent attention. Over the years policy makers have been intentional concerning singing the praises regarding pockets of excellence throughout the education system. Yet, the elephant in the room has been ignored. From its earliest inception Jamaica’s education system has not had a level playing field. The learning gaps have worsened since COVID-19 both at the primary and secondary levels. Additionally, the learning gaps are to a large extent aligned to the socio-economic class of the students. Yet, what have remained constant despite changes in governments are the high levels of illiteracy across the primary and secondary levels. All acr...