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

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”- Dr. Martin Luther King. In recent years, the term "social justice" has become a significant part of public discourse. However, many of us are unaware of its meaning and are far removed from its significance. In a world riffled with strife and chaos, the shouts of justice reverberate through the web of disarray. The powerfully connected takes advantage of the weak and mild-mannered. The employer who lacks integrity exploits his/her employee. The rights of the average person are breached constantly. Undoubtedly, the education system is responsible for the perpetuation of the ideologies and views of those who rule while excluding marginalized opinions. Historically, the purpose of schooling was to reproduce the dominant culture in the society. Most of us have experienced some form of injustice. Unfortunately, the world has normalized injustice through State institutions and personal actions. The United Nations (UN) defi...

“Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. “-Ludwig Wittgenstein. Men and women perceive language and language acquisition differently. Within the education system, there are certain subjects that have been traditionally viewed as feminine; among these are English Language and Literature. In fact, those subjects which have a heavy concentration of reading and writing are disowned by boys. The refusal of boys to connect with such subjects needs to be interrogated more so as to decisively speak about how language impacts both sexes in differ ways. Boys oftentimes feel restricted regarding the usage of language especially in formal settings such as that of a classroom. While the classroom should be a safe space, the reality runs counter. Our schools and indeed classrooms are frequently sites of conflicts, bullyism and unresolved disputes. Boys are more likely to refuse to answer questions in situations of co-educational settings due to the likelihood that girls may laugh at th...

“The power of radio is not that it speaks to millions, but that it speaks intimately and privately to each one of those millions.”- Hallie Flanagan. World Radio Day is observed annually on February 13. Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity. Radio is one of the most accessible and trusted ways to reach people, particularly in remote or underserved areas. Of particular importance is the fact that radio transcends the barriers of literacy and therefore this medium is all-inclusive. As an audio- only medium; radio is interactive given the range in its programming and offerings to the audience. As a result, radio provides a platform for democratic discourse. At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. This unique ability to reach the widest audience means radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. Radio is uniquely positioned to bring communities toge...

“In many places in the world, though still imperfect, conditions for women entering academia have improved markedly in the last half-century. Importantly, however, we should not forget that this is far from true for many countries and societies, and especially in many places in the world, though still imperfect, conditions for women entering academia have improved markedly in the last half-century. Importantly, however, we should not forget that this is far from true for many countries and societies, and especially women of colour, women from poor or marginalized communities and sexual minorities and disabled women are still facing immense hurdles even in superficially egalitarian environments.”- Katarína Juríková. Globally, 122 million girls are out of school, according to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Of those, 2.5 million are banned from education in Afghanistan. Despite progress across all disciplines in science, technology, engineering and ma...

“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished” - Nahum 1:3. Have you ever read the book of Nahum in the Old Testament? Yes, there is some bewilderment regarding the question. There are those who will strongly agree that Nahum is one of those forgotten books in the Bible. In fact, many of us might be hearing the name Nahum for the first time. According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, very little is known about Nahum’s background or personal life. There are different theories about where he was from, but the book says that he lived in Elkosh. Again, there is little known about Elkosh’s location, but one possibility is that Elkosh was in the area of Capernaum in Northern Israel, which may have been posthumously named after him (as “Capernaum” means “Village of Nahum”). The 12 Minor Prophets in the Bible may not be referenced as often as Major Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, but the words they brought to the people ...

Global School Play Day was created in 2015 by a group of six educators: Scott Bedley, Tim Bedley, Eric Saibel, Misty Higgins, Oliver Schinkten, and Bethany Chaffin. These educators were concerned that children were getting less and less time to play due to technology and adult interference. This galvanized the educators to initiate this play day campaign. During its first observance on February 4, 2015, over 65,000 children participated. However, in 2020, during the sixth anniversary of the event, this number increased exponentially, with over almost 600,000 children participating across 75 countries. The organization believes the campaign has been so successful because initially, children had started forgetting how to play. Thankfully, parents and educators are beginning to see the positive impacts. Global School Play Day is observed annually every first Wednesday in February and this year it will be held on February 5. Benefits of Play . Play is an activity that is spontaneous, fun...

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast.”- Ephesians 2:8-9. There is always some controversy in the society. There are always those who believe that they have a higher moral authority and look down with disdain on others. Given that culture is not static we should indeed expect more disagreements in and across the cultural landscape. The most recent controversy surrounds dancehall superstar Spice whose given name is Grace Hamilton. Without a doubt the youth are faced with many problems. The social ills are too many to mention in this a pluralistic society. Spice’s 'Ohhhh No School Tour' was aimed at educating and empowering the island’s youth on the importance of standing firm on their beliefs and values. The school tour commenced on Monday January 28 with visits to Waterford and Cumberland High Schools. The tour continued Tuesday with stops at Spanish Town High an...

“The horror of the extermination of millions of Jewish people and others of different faiths during those years must never be forgotten or denied.”- Pope Francis. The Holocaust is arguably one the darkest chapters in human history. The horrors and atrocities committed against the Jews during the 1940’s were unspeakable. Oftentimes, we speak of the terror of the Holocaust; however, we must also acknowledge the heroism of many who risked their own lives to save the lives of many Jews. January 27, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp by Soviet troops. Over one million people were murdered in this vast complex alone, most of them Jews. The date also commemorates the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust . The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) each year joins the international community in paying tribute to the memory of th...

“AI offers major opportunities, provided that its deployment in schools is guided by clear ethical principles. To reach its full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, rather than replace them.”- Audrey Azoulay- Director General UNESCO. Despite the pronouncement from the United Nations regarding education being a human right; a significant number of students globally do not live this reality. Education offers children an opportunity out of poverty and a promising future. Unfortunately, about 244 million children and adolescents around the world are out of school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. The United Nations adds that their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. Unfortunately, inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelon...

“Already the regularity of its motion promises the most conclusive results. One collects numbers that, compared with the predictions of theory, permit one to appreciate how far the true pendulum approximates or differs from the abstract system called 'the simple pendulum.”- Leon Foucault. Most of us probably know the Earth rotates on an almost-vertical axis every 24 hours, which gives us one Earth day. Yet, this basic knowledge was not always so unquestionable. As far back as 470 BCE, ancient Greeks speculated the Earth itself moves. In 1851, French physicist Leon Foucault demonstrated how our planet rotates using his now-famous pendulum. Foucault first conducted his pendulum experiment in the Paris Observatory, then the Panthéon, where it remains an impressive centerpiece today. January 8 is recognized as Earth's Rotation Day annually. This important day is a reminder that the Earth spins on its axis, which is why we have day and night. This day is a great time to learn abo...

“Wherever there are birds, there is hope.”- Mehmet Murat Ildan. Birds have always held a special place in our hearts. According to Born Free USA , nearly 12 percent of the world's almost 10,000 bird species are in danger of extinction. Regrettably, each year, millions of birds are captured from the wild or produced in captivity for commercial profit or human amusement, only to waste away in conditions that fail to meet the instinctive behavioral and physical needs of these wild animals. National Bird Day , celebrated on January 5 each year, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of birds in our ecosystems and their conservation. The day encourages people to appreciate the beauty, diversity, and significance of birds while promoting efforts to protect their habitats. National Bird Day was first established in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition. The day not only draws attention to the pressing issues of bird extinction and habitat destruction but also encoura...

"Reading Braille really is important. I mean, we can listen, hear things being said. But to be able to have the privacy of only your fingers and your mind being able to know what's going on, it's a good thing".- Stevie Wonder. It is estimated that 1 billion people live with some form of disability. Unfortunately, these individuals are less likely to access health care, education, employment and to participate in their community. Such persons are more likely to live in poverty, experience higher rates of violence, neglect and abuse, and are among the most marginalized in any society. For the visually impaired, life can be rather restricted given that there is limited access to information. This reality oftentimes leads to isolation and depression. World Braille Day is a reminder of the importance of accessibility and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired. World Braille Day has been observed since 2019 on January 4. The United Nations Convention...

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”- World Health Organization. Wellness oftentimes takes a fractional approach and this is problematic. The narrative regarding wellness must be viewed in holistic terms in order to achieve wholesome wellness. It is only when a wholesome strategy is taken that we can achieve comprehensive access to well-being. On January 3rd, the global community observes International Mind-Body Wellness Day. The day is set aside to recognize the profound connection between mental and physical well-being. The celebration of this day provides an opportunity to raise awareness and promote a holistic approach to well-being, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and body. Oftentimes there is a disconnect between the mind and body. However, the mind and body share a profound and reciprocal influence. Recent research highlights the essential connection, emphasizing th...

“Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s science fact.”- Isaac Asimov. Many of us live in a world of escapism. This fictional space is necessary to counter the stress and toxicity of everyday life. When it comes to fiction writing, the stories are only limited by one’s imagination. Regardless of your taste in fiction stories chances are a few of them involve some sort of science fiction topics. The word fiction is described as literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact, though it may be based on a true story or situation. Types of literature in the fiction genre include the novel, short story, and novella. The word is from the Latin fictiō, “the act of making, fashioning, or molding.” Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that explores the effects of scientific discoveries, technological innovations, natural events, and evolution on people and their relationships. It is often set in the future and typically deals with imaginative concepts such as space e...