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

The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the technological world by storm in the last few years. The technology, though not necessarily ‘new’, can organize meeting agendas, design both buildings and vehicles, produce illustrations, manage calendars, and formulate work schedules. Additionally, AI is able to make businesses, educational entities, justice systems and even churches more efficient in their day- to- day functions. Though these functionalities have been around for many years, the advancement in the technology is now being sold to the public as a game-changing tool that will revolutionize how we learn, create and carry out tasks. Importantly, with every new technological phenomenon, there are moral and ethical concerns regarding how it will be used especially in nefarious ways that can be harmful to people. The overreliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a cause for concern. While we acknowledge the benefits of artificial intelligence in our daily lives there are al...

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”- Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela is a global icon. Although many of us have never met this man it feels as if we have known him all our lives. Mandela was not haughty nor was he caught up with power. He could have easily held on to power once he became president of South Africa. But, he did not, he walked away. Mandela lived his life in the public’s view. Whether it was his unjust imprisonment, or his family life he was always in the public’s domain for all to see. Mandela was a statesman with a strong spirit of forgiveness. His eloquence and decorum placed him in a category above all others. His voice was not course, but his presence was monumental...

“Unlocking the full potential of younger generations requires massive investment in inclusive quality education and training. Closing the skills gap can help create decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods at scale. ”- UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Alarmingly, 273 million children and young people are out of school. In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day , to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. This year’s theme is "Skills for a Shared Future." The global observance focuses on empowering young people with the technical, AI, digital, green, and social-emotional skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing labor market and drive sustainable development. This global observance highlights the role of youth as change makers in building inclusive and resilient societies. The United Nations (UN) states, the world of work is changing rapidl...

Many demographers argue that the world is entering a global population crisis. The challenge is more complex because different regions face opposite problems at the same time. In 2025, falling fertility rates are making global headlines, with some governments warning of a “population collapse” and introducing drastic policies to boost births. Since 1990, World Population Day has been observed on July 11. This year's World Population Day theme is "Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people today and for the future. " This year’s theme highlights how young people's decisions about education, employment, housing, relationships, and family life are increasingly influenced by the cities they inhabit. Two-thirds of the global population now lives in areas where fertility rates are below 2.1 children per woman the threshold needed to keep population size stable. In the early 1970s, women had on average 4.5 children each; by 2015, total fertility for the world h...

"Milima haikutani, lakini binadamu hukutana." Translation: Mountains do not meet, but humans do. Meaning: You never know who you will meet again in life. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), there are approximately 8,324 known languages globally, but only around 7,000 are still in use today. Kiswahili is more than a language; it is a vessel of African identity, unity, and culture. Kiswahili is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa and the world, with over 200 million speakers. Kiswahili is a vital tool of communication and integration across East, Central, and Southern Africa, and serves as an official language of the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the East African Community (EAC). World Kiswahili Language Day is observed annually on July 7. This year’s theme is “Kiswahili for Peace, Solidarity and Global Economic Diplomacy. ” This theme focuses on how Kiswahili...

Graduation exercises are rooted in a culture where students become props in a performance meant to validate a flawed education system rather 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 graduates. 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 graduates but also for their parents, guardians and well wishers. Many graduates over the years of formal schooling develop 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 avenu...