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

“The theme of this year’s World Water Day reminds us of a cold, hard truth: glacier preservation is essential for security, prosperity, and justice. Glaciers are nature’s vaults, holding a precious resource: nearly 70 per cent of all freshwater on Earth.”- António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Nearly 2 billion people rely on water from glaciers, snowmelt and mountain run-off for drinking, agriculture, and energy production. The World Meteorological Organization states that in 2023, glaciers lost more than 600 gigatons of water, the largest mass loss registered in 50 years. Glaciers are melting faster than ever. As the planet gets hotter, our frozen world is shrinking, making the water cycle more unpredictable. For billions of people, melt water flows are changing, causing floods, droughts, landslides and sea level rise. Countless communities and ecosystems are at risk of devastation. As we work together to mitigate and adapt to climate change, glacier preservati...

“I'm special like everyone else. I do not let people judge me for having Down syndrome. The important thing is how I feel about myself. On the inside, I feel beautiful.” – Edward Barbanell. Down syndrome continues to be the most common chromosomal disorder among humans. People with Down syndrome are born with an extra chromosome. Statistics from Caribbean countries estimate that one child with Down syndrome is born for every 800 to 1,000 live births. In 2012, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day . This year’s theme is “Improve Our Support Systems," which emphasizes the need for inclusive support that grants individuals with Down syndrome choice, control, and dignity. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21. Down syndrome exists in all regions across the globe. Down syndrome commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics and health. A...

“Reading and exposure to words helps kids maximize their language and cognitive capacity. Even the tactile experience of holding or touching a book supports babies’ cognitive development.”- Laura Phillips, PsyD. The literacy crisis currently facing the nation has taken longer than expected for a lasting resolution. Perhaps the approach to improving literacy skills is the missing part of the equation given that so many approaches and strategies have been tried over the years. What has remained constant is that more and more of our students are not reading at their grade levels. Equally important is the fact that a significant number of our students do not see a future in education. Many students have disengaged themselves from the rigors of education, this is especially so given that there are so many attractive alternative pathways to success and respect. Our boys in particular given their propensity as tactile learners have switched off their learning mode a long time ago. However, ...

“When you have burnout, you’re coming to work with a very negative attitude and very negative energy,” and kids are so empathic that they feel your negative energy, and that spurs their negative energy, which causes more behavior problems and challenges.”- Donna Christy, a school psychologist. Teachers face high levels of work-related stress, impacting their mental health and potentially leading to burnout, anxiety, and depression, which can influence their well-being and the quality of education. Increasingly teachers are being asked to take on non-teaching tasks. In many instances this additional work is selectively applied to some teachers while others who find favour with administration are not so burdened. The disconnect between administrators and teachers regarding job responsibilities appears likely to persist without a revised Education Act. The classroom experience can become toxic. In fact, it is rather toxic for a growing number of teachers and students. Unfortunately, we...

“Hunger is not an issue of charity. It is an issue of justice.” - Jacques Diouf. Those of us who are tasked with the welfare of others must behave in a manner that is worthy to be emulated. However, we do not live in a perfect world and many of those who are entrusted with leadership do so in a spiteful manner. We must however, be reminded that we will all have a day of reckoning and will have to give an account of our stewardship. The issue of child abuse is always distressing to speak about. Oftentimes, we hear of the horrendous cases of sexual abuse of children that rocks the core of the society. Any society that tolerates or makes excuses for the abuses of children remains in a rotten state of affairs. The withholding of food as a form of punishment is hardly spoken about. This form of child abuse is more prevalent than we think and happens behind closed doors as many parents and guardians use this form of reward system to achieve a desired behavioural change in children. Punis...

By 2030, over 500 million people are expected to have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. Over one billion young people face the risk of permanent hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds during recreational pastimes such as listening to music and video game play. Many of us take our hearing for granted. Hearing is one of our most essential senses, facilitating communication and connection with the world around us. The impacts of hearing loss are extensive and can be weighty. They include a loss of the ability to communicate with others, delayed language development in children, which can lead to social isolation, loneliness and frustration, particularly among older people with hearing loss. Unattended hearing loss in children can impact their academic performance and options for employment. Regrettably, children with hearing loss and deafness in developing countries rarely receive any schooling. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds that unaddressed hear...

“Everyone is crying out for peace, none is crying out for justice. I need equal rights and justice."- Peter Tosh. Each March the society pauses to observe Peace Day in our educational institutions. The fact that Peace Day is being observed in our schools is disconcerting. This issue at hand speaks to the wider societal problems of conflict and strife which have plagued the nation for years. While schools are supposed to be safe spaces, most of our schools are part of an education system synonymous with oppression and injustice. Those with power and authority often make policies in a culture where consultation is absent. This high-handed top down approach is rooted in our history of enslavement where one class believes they have all the rights without corresponding responsibility. The rule of law is selectively applied to various stakeholders in a biased and punitive way. Unfortunately, our schools have become sites of injustice where meritocracy is shunned. The positional power w...

“Our planet’s magnificent biodiversity is priceless, but conserving it comes at a cost. Each year, hundreds of billions of dollars are needed to close the global wildlife conservation finance gap; a gap we must bridge to ensure the survival of species and the ecosystems that sustain us all.”- Ivonne Higuero- Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). For many of us the wild is a place of unknown variables. Oftentimes we bring our biases to the wildlife due to misinformation and a sense of fear. However, the wild is a place of beauty, resilience and balance. United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated every year on 3 March to celebrate wild animals and plants. Every year, we recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. This year's theme is 'Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet' . With more than one million species at risk of exti...

“Languages connect us and break down barriers when we unite to nurture the best in us and help each other succeed.”- Widad Akreyi. No one should be made to feel lesser than because they speak their Mother Language. Globally, 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. Nevertheless, progress is being made in multilingual education with a growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life. Languages are essential to education and sustainable development, serving as the primary means through which knowledge is transferred and cultures are preserved. With approximately 8,324 languages in the world today, many are at risk of disappearing due to globalization and societal changes. When languages fade, so does the world's rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Additionally, opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking, expression and v...

“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...