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

The word ‘dunce’ has always had a fixed address in our local lexicon. The summer holidays are almost over, yet the narrative associated with the ‘dunce’ culture will be carried over into the new academic year, especially since the most recent release of both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) as well as the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination results. The word “dunce” itself was imported during colonial education systems, used to debase Africans who struggled with imposed European languages and cultural norms. Unfortunately, in post colonial societies, the word ‘dunce’ is still be used to divide, segregate, devalue the citizenry. The glorification of “dunce culture” is not unique to Jamaica but resonates in the broader Caribbean region where education, class and cultural identity intersect. Undoubtedly, Jamaica’s global cultural influence amplifies the culture of dunce. We often underestimate the power and force of our popular culture to our detriment. Gone ar...

“Education is the medium by which a people are prepared for the creation of their own particular civilization, and the advancement and glory of their own race.”- Marcus Garvey. We often talk about education as a right; however, there are many barriers to access and this is problematic. The result is quality education is often linked to one’s wealth. August 17 is the 139th anniversary of the birth of National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Each year a number of events are held to commemorate Garvey’s birth. One of the most noticeable events is that of the annual lecture. This year’s lecture was given by Professor Donna Hope of the University of the West Indies and held at Liberty Hall in Kingston. Even while we sat and listened attentively to the professor, there are a number of questions we must ask ourselves, such as, what is the impact of the structural inequalities of the current education system which provides different outcomes to different students based on social indicators. Anoth...

Cronyism in education circles is palpable. Cronyism in education is not a localized problem; it is a widespread systemic issue across diverse political, economic and cultural landscapes. There are numerous intersectionalities regarding education. One of the least visible is that of cronyism. Cronyism in education is pervasive in global education systems. Unfortunately, as a society we have normalized this social ill to the detriment of our students. The interrogation of this societal issue should not be divorced from the configuration of society which is structured along hierarchical indicators, such as social class, sex and religious affiliations. Cronyism in education refers to the manner in which educational opportunities, resources, positions and advantages are distributed through personal connections, favoritism, family ties, political influence, or social status rather than through merit and fairness. Cronyism occurs at all levels of the education system. Many qualified teacher...

“Indigenous Peoples around the world continue to face overwhelming marginalization, discrimination and exclusion. Rooted in colonialism and patriarchy, these profound disparities are sustained by a deeply held resistance to recognizing and respecting the rights, dignity, and freedoms of indigenous peoples. Throughout modern history, indigenous peoples have been robbed of their lands and territories, of their political and economic autonomy, and even of their own children. Their cultures and languages have been denigrated and extinguished.” – United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. Did you know Indigenous Peoples make up less than 6% of the global population, but they represent at least 15% of the extremely poor? Indigenous Peoples' territories encompass 28% of the surface of the globe and contain 11% of the world’s forests. They are guardians of most of the world’s remaining biodiversity. Indigenous Peoples have always been marginalized. The United Nations (UN) estimat...

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...

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...