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

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs your heart is very big.”- Erica Jong. He was lifted one last time. After an agonizing consultation with my mother and brother a decision was arrived at. I knew this day was coming. Rover was no pup; he was ten years old with a growing number of health issues. He was no longer the frisky Rover, had became lethargic. In recent times Rover’s abdomen became extended. Upon examination the vet, ordered her assistant to draw fluid from his abdomen. The drawn fluid had traces of blood. Rover was not going to get better. His condition was one of management that would require him to be on a particular drug until death. I braced myself for Rover’s prognosis. In the last few weeks he had lost his aggressive and adventurous personality. Yes, dogs do have personalities. The panting almost gasping was more frequent. He h...

“A narrow focus of awards can lead to decreased motivation, increased stress and a sense of exclusion among students who don’t fit the traditional mold of what a successful student is supposed to be.”- Linda Iwenofu clinical child psychologist and assistant professor in applied psychology and human development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Congratulations to the class of 2025. Graduations are special events. What happens after the flash of the cameras go quiet, the balloons burst and the crowd disperses? In many instances, graduations are viewed as rites of passage. Rites of passage are important indicators of transition culminating in adulthood. Graduations are oftentimes grounded in great expectations not only for the grandaunts but also for their parents, guardians and well wishers. Many graduates over the years of formal schooling developed strong connections to both their educational institutions and friends. Formal schooling is much more than academics a...

“Decolonizing the curriculum is a “multifaceted process” that aims to tell the truth. At the heart of it is the aim to offer a rigorous, inclusive education that recognizes that our current systems of knowledge and education are products of specific historical, social, cultural and political contexts.” - Michael Mumisa, Cambridge Special Livingstone Scholar. The Caribbean has had a shared history of enslavement and colonization that has significantly shaped Caribbean education systems. Colonial powers established education systems that routinely prioritized the interests of the colonizers, limiting access and curriculum for the colonized population. This history has resulted in lasting impacts on the region's educational landscape, including disparities in access, curriculum, and overall quality of education. Sadly, current educational leaders in the Caribbean have done very little to right this wrong. Too many of us in the Caribbean region have felt the weight of generational ...

The Tropics are a region of the Earth, roughly defined as the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Although topography and other factors contribute to climatic variation, tropical locations are typically warm and experience little seasonal change in day-to-day temperature. An important feature of the Tropics is the prevalence of rain in the moist inner regions near the equator, and that the seasonality of rainfall increases with the distance from the equator. The tropical region faces several challenges such as climate change, deforestation, logging, urbanization and demographic changes. Did you know that the Tropics host nearly 95% of the world’s mangrove forests by area and 99% of mangrove species? The Tropics have just over half of the world’s renewable water resources (54%), yet almost half their population is considered vulnerable to water stress. The International Day of the Tropics was initiated by the United Nations as an opportunity to celebrate co...

Globally, only 16.5% of engineers are women. Historically, the field of engineering has been a typically male environment. STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at school were seen more as male subjects, while females gravitated towards the humanities subjects. Traditionally, women and girls were encouraged to study non-STEM subjects. The humanities are more a collection of disciplines than a single discipline. Disciplines that focus on the human condition, from a philosophical or artistic perspective, are generally included in the humanities. These include fine arts, performing arts, literature, philosophy, religion, and history. This gender biased perspective and reality must be interrogated. Regrettably, in some societies, such as Afghanistan, women and girls are excluded from accessing secondary and tertiary education. Disturbingly, the global community has been muted for the most part. Engineering is about innovation and problem solving. The field of ...

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. That means it is passed down from a parent’s genes. It causes the body to make abnormal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of your body. When you have SCD, your body’s tissues and organs do not get enough oxygen. Sickle cell disease is a lifelong condition. Healthy red blood cells are round and move easily all over the body. With SCD, the red blood cells are hard and sticky. They are shaped like the letter C (and like a farm tool called a sickle). These damaged red blood cells (sickle cells) clump together. Sickle Cell Traits versus Disease . People who have sickle cell trait inherited a hemoglobin S gene from only one parent. They inherited a normal gene from their other parent. People with sickle cell trait typically do not have any symptoms of sickle cell disease. However, ongoing research may show that these people may have symptoms. Importantly, they can pass on the ab...

The world is ageing rapidly. The United Nations (UN) states that by 2050, it is estimated that 1 in every 6 people will be aged 65 or over, increasing the vulnerability experienced by older persons to violence. Unfortunately, abuse of elders is also on the increase. Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. The fact, elder abuse is not confined to elders who are institutionalized. Many older persons are abuse in their own homes. Abuse oftentimes is not physical since those are more readily observed by family members and health care professionals. Abuses of elders frequently take the form of psychological ill-treatment. In many instances, those who work with elders are not paid well. In fact, many are not trained to work with older persons. Elder abuse can also take the form of financial mismanagement of the resources of the older persons. In some societies elders are revered and respected. On the other hand, there are societies wher...

Globally, it is estimated that one in seven (14%) of 10–19-year-olds experience mental health conditions, yet these remain largely unrecognized and untreated. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds that adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviours, physical ill-health and human rights violations. Adolescence is a crucial period for developing social and emotional habits important for mental well-being. These include adopting healthy sleep patterns; exercising regularly; developing coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; and learning to manage emotions. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school and in the wider community are important. However, there are many factors that can impact the holistic development during adolescence. The WHO comments that multiple factors affect mental health. Importantly...

“Black dandyism is the strategic and often subversive use of style by people of African descent to assert individuality, challenge stereotypes, and reimagine black identity.”- Jonathan Michael Square- Professor of Black Visual Culture. Black history is oftentimes obscured and or manipulated. We live in an era where misinformation and disinformation are the order of the day. Unfortunately, many of us have succumbed to this skewed view of reality. Regrettably even the so called educated among us no longer do their due diligence. A lot has been said about dandyism, in particular black dandyism. Correspondingly a lot of what has been said is a distortion of the historical underpinning of this movement. Undoubtedly, the distortion regarding dandyism is rooted in a culture of enslavement, racism and white privilege. Black men have long used fashion, particularly flamboyant styles, as a way to express pride and resistance. Oftentimes this resistance is viewed as a powerful political statem...

Have you noticed there has been a decline in the number of students who are members of uniformed groups? There was a time in our recent history where groups such as Cadets, Brownies, Girl Guides, Pathfinders, Boys Brigade and Scouts were among the most sought after for extracurricular activities. A uniformed group is a collection of individuals, typically associated with a specific organization or institution, who wears a distinct uniform to distinguish them from others. These groups often have a structured hierarchy as well as rules and sanctions. What has gone awry? The Scout Association of Jamaica's mission statement focuses on developing young people into responsible citizens. This is achieved by promoting character development, instilling skills, and fostering a sense of loyalty and thoughtfulness. The aim is to assist boys to become resourceful community members through mental, physical, and spiritual development. Uniformed groups are known to build self confidence, resilien...

When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? More than one billion people around the world live with hypertension (high blood pressure), which is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. The burden of hypertension is felt disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries, where two thirds of cases are found, largely due to increased risk factors in those populations in recent decades. World Hypertension Day , marked annually on 17 May, raises awareness and promotes hypertension prevention, detection and control. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this observance, under the compelling theme, "Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer! " Hypertension, often referred to as a silent killer, remains a leading public health challenge due to high prevalence among adults. Blood pressure is the amount of force your blood uses to get through your arteries. When your heart pumps, it uses force to push oxygen-...

International Day of the Boy Child is recognized annually on May 16th as a day to focus on boys and their well-being, their need to feel happy, healthy, and valued within family and community. This day highlights the unique challenges and pressures faced by boys in different regions and cultures. The day provides an opportunity for societies to reflect on issues such as educational disparities, mental health, and societal expectations that affect boys disproportionately. By focusing on nurturing and empowering boys with positive guidance and equitable opportunities, we aim to foster a generation that values inclusivity and equality. The day is set aside to recognize boys' basic human rights, including access to education, health care and protection from violence and exploitation. This day was established to recognize and celebrate the rights and achievements of boys around the world. This special day was first instituted by a coalition of non-governmental organizations in 2012 i...

Our education system is akin to a roller coaster ride. There are moments of turbulence countered by pockets of harmonious teaching and learning. This topsy turvy reality is not conducive to teaching and learning. Disturbingly, what remains constant is the fact that our students at the primary and secondary levels are not reading as they should. Reading for many students has become a task and this is problematic. Many students view reading as punitive. Our methods of socialization both in the home and at school have greatly contributed to this negative perception of reading. Students’ unenthusiastic opinions of reading have been amplified in this digital age where the physical book has almost been rendered obsolete, as technological gadgets such as smart phones and tablets have become commonplace in most societies. Many of us can recall in our childhood being told to go and take up our books after engaging in some inappropriate behaviour. Unfortunately, this practice concerning readi...

“Biased algorithms, outright lies, and hate speech are landmines on the information superhighway. Accurate, verifiable, fact-based information is the best tool to defuse them.”- UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Journalism as a profession continues to be the bedrock of democracy. Yet, in some societies governments have placed obstacles in the path of members of the Fourth Estate. Unsurprisingly, in such societies press freedom is handicapped and the pursuit of the truth is dangerous. Undoubtedly, an atmosphere of transparency and fairness are critical pillars for journalism to thrive. Unfortunately, in a growing number of countries, the media landscape is characterized in fear and intimidation. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence has also added another complex layer for journalists to navigate. The rapid growth and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the media landscape and press freedom in multiple ways. Whereas the principles of free, independent, and plura...