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

The global water crisis affects everyone, but not equally. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted. Globally, more than 1 billion women lack access to safely managed drinking water services. This disturbing fact speaks to the structural framework of patriarchal inequality that persists in accessing safe and potable water. The ideology of patriarchy has numerous manifestations. As a result, women are often absent from those decisions where water access and management are discussed. The United Nations (UN) states that in 53 countries with available data, women and girls spend 250 million hours per day on water collection over three times more than men and boys. Access to water is a basic human right. Yet, the world continues to turn a blind eye. There is a critical relationship between access to water, gender equality and sustainable development. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene are responsible for the deaths of around 1,000...

The word 'poetry' is from the Greek term poiesis, which means 'making'. Regardless of our race, gender, socio-economic backgrounds, there are multiple points of connectivity in our lives. The fact is we are more alike than we are different. Poetry provides a platform, a bridge of social inclusivity and connection for humanity. Poetry speaks to our common humanity and our shared values, transforming the simplest of poems into a powerful catalyst for dialogue and peace. Poetry’s impact is often discounted regarding bringing people together. However, poetry is a rather powerful means of linguistic expression that has the ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds. World Poetry Day is observed annually on March 21. The day is set aside to honour poets, revive oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote the reading, writing and teaching of poetry. Additionally, World Poetry Day fosters the convergence between poetry and other art forms, such as theatre, dance, music...

Oral diseases are among the most common Noncommunicable diseases (NCD'S) worldwide, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people. While the global burden of oral health conditions is growing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the overall burden of oral health conditions on services is likely to keep increasing because of population growth and ageing. Oral health is the state of the mouth, teeth and orofacial structures that enables individuals to perform essential functions such as eating, breathing and speaking, and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialize and work without pain, discomfort and embarrassment. Oral health varies over the life course from early life to old age, is integral to general health and supports individuals in participating in society and achieving their potential. Oral diseases disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. People of low socioeconomic stat...

It was a day filled with mixed emotions. I still recall the drive to the University Hospital of the West Indies to meet with the nephrologist regarding my dad’s appointment. My dad, Fitzroy has Stage 4 kidney disease. The year was 2018 and the month was August. Prior to this devastating news, I was aware of renal failure. My aunt Madge, my mother’s younger sister died from renal failure in 1982. Her funeral service, which was held at the Jamaica Evangelistic Centre where she was a member, is etched in my memory. My aunt who died in her 30’s was among the first Jamaicans to have had a kidney transplant performed locally. The day in question, my younger brother and I accompanied our dad to his appointment. Dad was referred to the nephrologist by the family doctor. My dad’s diagnosis was met with anxiety, uncertainty, hope and relief. Why relief, one might ask? There was relief because during those moments of uncertainty the doctor told us that dad would not require dialysis. Dialysis tak...

Much has been said regarding the assessment of students. However, educators should never feel pressured not to voice their opinions and views on this important aspect of teaching and learning. Assessment is a two-edged instrument. Students need to know where they are concerning knowledge acquisition and teachers also need to know what the students have grasped. The framework concerning assessment of students must always lend itself to new and diverse methods to cater to multiple intelligences. Unfortunately, too often teachers are pressured to ascribe to a standardized method of student evaluation. Multiple intelligences is a theory by Howard Gardner proposing that human intelligence is not a single ability but a collection of distinct, relatively independent "intelligences" such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and sometimes existential. Gardner’s assertion is grounded in the premise that...

The Digital Age, also called the Information Age, refers to the period starting in the late 20th century when digital technology, such as computers, the internet and later smart phones became central to human life. The Digital Age transformed how humans access information, communicate and work shifting economies from industrial production to knowledge and data-driven systems. In 1969, the foundation of the modern Internet was created. The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network ARPANET was created. The development of the transistor allowed computer chips to drastically shrink in size, which allowed computer engineers to make more powerful machines in smaller packages. This paved the way for machines that consumers could easily keep in their homes. At the time, most computers were difficult to use and were marketed toward hobbyists and computer engineers. The first successful personal computer, the Apple 1, was designed for the average consumers. Soon Microsoft, one of Apple’s stron...

“Me glad fi see yuh come back, bwoy, But lawd, yuh let me dung Me shame a yuh so till all a Me proudness drop a grung.”- No Lickle Twang by Louise Bennett Coverley. The English Language was not the Mother Language on the African continent. The enslaved Africans were stripped of their dignity, including their language during the period of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The English Language was imposed upon them. As a result, for many in the African Diaspora, English Language is the language of oppression. The African Diaspora refers to the widespread dispersal of African peoples across the globe, particularly to the Americas and Europe, primarily as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The struggle is real and constant regarding language, especially our Mother Languages. With anywhere between 1000 and 2000 languages, Africa is home to approximately one-third of the world's languages. Swahili is the most widely spoken African language. It i...

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For most of us justice is a fleeting and elusive ideal. Justice often feels like a catchphrase grounded in academia, far removed from the lives of most citizens. What is more common and relatable is injustice. The cries of “We Want Justice” are far more common in a world characterized by chaos and injustice. The lack of justice is traumatic and oftentimes is generational. Injustice is frequently rooted in racial and religious discrimination, as well as misogynistic views. Structural inequalities persist, affecting access to decent work, social protection, healthcare, education and a life free from discrimination. This duality in systems is global. Such duality fosters corruption and privilege, allowing only a small percentage of citizens to benefit from government resources. Respect is not afforded equally. Constitutional authority, inherited power, wealth, and privilege often combine to undermine ju...

Do you have a physical radio at home? In a rapidly changing world underpinned by artificial intelligence, the radio is often dismissed as old- fashioned and obsolete. Yet, for more than a century, radio has been a powerful medium, uniting people across borders, cultures, and generations. On February 13, 2026, the international community will once again come together to observe World Radio Day . World Radio Day (WRD) was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011 and later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, making it an officially recognized international observance. Each year, we pause to honour the broadcasters who deliver the news, amplify voices, and share stories that matter. World Radio Day commemorates the establishment of United Nations Radio in 1946, established in the aftermath of World War II as a symbol of global communication and cooperation. Since then, radio has remained a trusted companion...

Global education systems often create barriers for girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Data clearly states that such discrimination is both systemic and persistent. Unfortunately, the historical legacies of exclusion and discrimination still shape the present where women are underrepresented in areas such as engineering, science and physics. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), women comprise about 35 per cent of STEM graduates globally, a figure that has remained stagnant for over a decade. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), women comprise less than 30% to 40% of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce and graduates. While 60% of tertiary graduates in the region are women, they are significantly underrepresented in engineering (under 31%) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), with only 14% of girls expecting to work in STEM. Underrepresenta...

Never outsource your health to the surrogates of those who own the plantations. Too often many of us turn a blind eye to our personal health. The consequences of such actions can be devastating and many do not live to tell the tale. However, there are many realities in this space. In many instances where there are no trade union representations employees often lose a day’s pay should they not report for work. This reality becomes more impacting when one has a family. Needless to say, if one is unwell, one’s productivity in the workplace will diminish. One’s state of wellness is not only physical, but mental health impacts our overall physical wellbeing. Given our history of enslavement and colonization many countries are indeed shaped alongside a plantation-like system. Within the plantation system the owners and or their surrogates are primarily concerned with profit. Health advice is shaped more by profit motives than by genuine care. Michal Jackson, in his song, “They Don’t C...

“What the hand does, the mind remembers.”- Maria Montessori. As educators we have a wealth of untapped knowledge and anecdotal evidence regarding education systems. Unfortunately, global education systems operate on a top down approach and the experiences of educators who serve in the trenches are rarely taken into consideration. This misguided top down approach renders students merely as statistics. Sadly, within this space the human element is sacrificed on the altar of curriculum expediency. Boys, in particular are often overlooked as the education system reinforces a one-sized approach to teaching and learning. Boys are tactile learners. Tactile learning is an approach that engages a learner's sense of touch to explore and understand the world around them. It is grounded in the understanding that sensory experiences are crucial to cognitive development, particularly in the early years. This learning style involves the direct handling and manipulation of objects, allowing lear...

Today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. In addition to the troubling statistics the learning loss associated with Covid19 is now further compounded by the educational deficits following natural disasters such as Hurricane Melissa which made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025. The conversations surrounding education have been many. Regrettably, there is a culture of puppetry in global education systems that suppress critical thinking. Yes, there have been attempts to reform education systems. Yet, in many parts of the world there is a duality in global education systems. Globally, both access to education and inclusive education remains elusive for millions of children. What about those students who are functional illiterate? Does the United Nations data capture such demographics? Literacy is defined as the ability to understand, evaluate, use, and engage wi...

Regrettably, we live in a society that places a premium on youth, while the elderly are left voiceless. This demographic imbalance reflects both a cultural and systemic culture of neglect, where wisdom and experience are overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of a culture that glories novelty and vitality. This prejudice is evident across multiple layers of modern life. In the workspace, many elderly individuals face age discrimination; their experience are undervalued compared to the perceived energy and enthusiasm of younger employees. This pattern reveals troubling realities across the global sphere where the contributions of the elderly are consistently diminished and many are viewed as a burden. In many societies, pensioners suffer the indignity of having to wait excessively long time for their pensions. Seniors are disproportionately exposed and vulnerable after a natural disaster due to a combination of physical, social and economic factors that complicate their ability to ...

Despite strong teacher appraisals, Jamaica’s education system remains crippled by deep structural failures. According to the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, 93 percent of the nation’s teachers are rated satisfactory or above in their appraisals, yet, Jamaica’s education system continues to face significant challenges. In many societies, classroom teachers are not accorded the respect they deserve within the education system. Unfortunately, this pervasive culture of disrespect often extends to other stakeholders. Ultimately, students’ outcomes suffer as a result of an education system steeped in the legacies of colonialism, with a central axis of underperformance driven by an over- reliance on external educational practices. The problems in Jamaica’s education system are rooted in deep structural issues: under-resourced schools, unequal access, poor working conditions, ineffective oversight mechanisms such as the school boards, weak and biased school leadership, the absence of fair and ...