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

Graduation exercises are grounded in a culture where students become props in a performance meant to validate a broken education system than to celebrate the achievements of students. Let us not fool ourselves; graduation exercises at both the primary and secondary levels of the education system are not about the grandaunts. 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 often 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 and scholarships. Life-long friendships are often cemented in the hallowed avenue...

Did you know that nearly half of the world’s forests are located in the tropics? 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 Tropics are a region of the Earth, roughly defined as the area between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. As of mid 2026, the global population living in the tropics is estimated at around 3.3–3.5 billion people, representing roughly 40% of the world’s total population of 8.3 billion. This share is expected to keep rising as demographic growth in tropical regions (Asia, Africa, Latin America) outpaces that of temperate zones. 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 ...

Disability inclusion for the disabled community is often a myth than reality. Persons with deafblindness face unique and often overlooked barriers that have rendered them largely invisible in data, policies and the public discourse. These barriers limit access to education, healthcare, employment, and social participation. On Monday, 16 June 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution titled “International Day of Deafblindness” officially proclaiming 27 June as the International Day of Deafblindness . The date was chosen to honour the birthday of Helen Keller (1880–1968), the pioneering American author, educator, and activist who was deafblind a figure whose legacy continues to inspire millions around the world. The International Day of Deafblindness serves as a global movement to recognize deafblindness as a distinct, unique disability rather than a simple combination of vision and hearing loss. The theme for the International Day of Deafblindness is ...

Historically, women were largely excluded from formal diplomatic roles and international decision-making processes. However, the narrative has changed over time. Women have broken barriers and expanded their presence across diplomatic services, international organizations, peace processes, and multilateral negotiations. Their contributions have strengthened efforts to promote peace, security, development, and human rights around the world. Interestingly, women were key contributors who played essential parts in shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) for the first time in human history spells out basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all human beings men and women alike should enjoy. Despite this progress, women remain underrepresented in many diplomatic and political leadership positions, highlighting the need for continued action to achieve equal participation and representation. The United Nations (UN) states that women remain underrep...

"Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons."- Pope Francis. The world is witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record. At the end of 2018, an unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world were forced from their homes by conflict and persecution. Among them are nearly 30 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. There are also millions of stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement. Refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol help protect them. They are the only global legal instruments explicitly covering the most important aspects of a refugee’s life. According to their provisions, refugees deserve, as a minimum, the same standards of treatment enjoy...

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...

In recent times differentiated instruction has become the poster child in educational circles. Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors curriculum, teaching methods, and learning activities to individual student needs. While the learning objective remains the same for the entire class, students are given multiple options regarding how they access content, process information, and demonstrate their mastery. This ‘waggonist’ approach to pedagogic discourse runs counter to the culture of standardized testing, a common feature of global education systems. As educators, we recognize and give credit to differentiation but let it not be said that differentiation is a panacea to all the short-comings of the education system. In an attempt to over simplify lessons for struggling learners, educators may unintentionally lower academic standards and even abandon those students who are over-achievers. Unfortunately, the abandonment of over-achievers in our education system i...

For many of us the ocean is distant and far-removed from our daily realities. For too long this narrative has been normalized and we have treated the ocean as separate from us. However, the ocean is a major part of us, in the air we breathe, the food we eat and the climate that makes our lives possible. Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming. World Ocean Day is an annual global celebration held on June 8th that highlights the vital role the oceans play in sustaining life on Earth and promotes collective action to protect marine environments. Established by the United Nations (UN), the day unites millions of people in over 180 countries to advocate for a healthy ocean and stable climate. The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, it is home to most of earth’s biodiversit...

Too often, the right to a healthy environment and the duty to protect our ecological heritage is betrayed. World Environment Day is perhaps the biggest international day for the environment. The day is observed annually on June 5. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. The Earth is already speaking to us through record-breaking temperatures, more intense wildfires, extreme storms and glaciers disappearing before our eyes. The United Nations is correct, for years, we have said that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is essential to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. Today, that threshold is dangerously close to being exceeded and every fraction of a degree matters. Climate change is no longer a future threat: it is reshaping life across the planet. Yet another force is also gaining momentum: collective action. Communities are restoring ecosystems. Young ...

The transformative impact of the bicycle is frequently overlooked. The bicycle is often referred to as the “people's nag.” The bicycle earned the nickname “the people’s nag” because it democratized transportation. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it liberated the working class from relying on expensive horses known colloquially as "nags," providing an affordable, lightweight, and accessible way for ordinary people to travel freely under their own power. The technology that ushered in the bicycle over two hundred years ago was hugely disruptive. There are some who will argue that the advent of the bicycle is equivalent to that of artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s world. The Englishman John Kemp Starley is generally credited with inventing the modern bicycle. In 1885 the 30-year-old inventor began experimenting in his Coventry workshop with a chain-driven bicycle featuring two much smaller wheels. After testing several prototypes, he came up with the Rover ...

“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours.”- Tia Walker. Caring for loved ones often comes at a high price. The caregiver’s voice is frequently muted and this is problematic. Society can be harsh regarding how caregivers are viewed. Regrettably, the insensitivity directed at caregivers serves to devalue the important work we do. This culture of disrespect connects to broader issues of social justice, where undervaluing caregiver’s worth mirrors how marginalized forms of work are historically overlooked. Traditionally, women have been the dominant ones who are caregivers, however, increasingly; males have entered this realm of unpaid work. The disrespect shown to caregivers is not gender specific. People in almost all countries are living longer. Globally, babies born in 2022 are expected to live 71.7 years on average, 25 years longer than those born in 1950. Rapidly ageing populations have increasing health and long-term care needs. Caregivers also tend...

“Obstetric fistula is not only a health problem, it is a condition that can isolate women and girls from their families, education, and other opportunities.- Ms. Nélida Rodrigues, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Mozambique. The poor and marginalized in every situation suffer the most. Accessing affordable medical care continues to be a serious issue. Global income inequalities are ever- increasing. Medical care is much different in the Global North as against that which exists in the Global South. Undoubtedly, women and girls bear the brunt concerning global inequalities. A global culture lacking in equity serves as a reminder of gross disparities, that health and social systems are failing to protect the health, human rights and dignity of the poorest and most vulnerable women and girls. Obstetric Fistula is the silent crisis impacting thousands of women. Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries. Obstetric fistula is cau...

Are you a lover of tea? Brewing a cup of tea is a simple act that happens multiple times every second all over the world. You place a teabag containing dried leaves into a cup and add hot water. A few minutes later, the tea, full of healthy ingredients, is ready to drink. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world and holds deep cultural, economic, and social significance across continents. The origins of tea stretch back more than 5 000 years. Yet, its contributions to health, culture and socioeconomic development are still as relevant today. Tea is currently grown in every localized area. Additionally, tea supports over 13 million people, including smallholder farmers and their households, who depend on the tea sector for their livelihoods. Tea is more than a daily habit. For many people, it is comfort, culture, conversation, and a small pause in a busy day. International Tea Day is a good reminder for all of us to enjoy our tea thoroughly; tea has many health be...

Did you know that there are over 20,700 different bee species (and counting) that have been discovered and described by science around the world? To put this in perspective, that is more than all of the world’s bird and mammal species combined! New bee species continue to be found every year. Some species, such as honeybees, bumblebees and stingless bees, live in colonies, while others are solitary insects. Although some groups, such as bumblebees, are well studied, the vast majority, more than 96% of bee species are poorly documented. Additionally, there are over 600 stingless honey bee species found across the tropical and subtropical regions around the world. These bees live in large colonies, usually in tree hollows, and they make delicious and healthy honey. Since 2018, the international community has been observing World Bee Day. World Bee Day is observed annually on May 20. This day provides an opportunity for all of us whether we work for governments, organizations or civ...

Fair play is a fundamental ethical principle that goes far beyond simply following the rules. It emphasizes integrity, respect, and equal opportunities in competitive environments, requiring participants to treat others honestly, avoid cheating, and gracefully accept both victory and defeat. – (UNESCO). Sport has proven to be a cost-effective and flexible tool in promoting peace and development objectives. World Fair Play Day is an annual global observance celebrated every year on May 19. It celebrates the core ethical values of sports such as friendship, respect, equality, and integrity both on and off the field. The day was first observed in 2025 after the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclamation. By recognizing the spirit of fair play and the values it embodies in both sports and everyday life, the resolution emphasizes the role of sports, including for persons with disabilities, in fostering peace, development, community cohesion, gender equality, and the empowerment o...