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PNPYO’s Tomlinson backs party’s vision on youth

Published:Friday | October 25, 2019 | 8:56 AMNickoy Wilson/Gleaner Writer
Krystal Tomlinson
Krystal Tomlinson

The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) has thrown its support behind the proposed plan by the leadership of the party to get youth involved in national development.

PNP President Dr Peter Philips has suggested using the education system as a way to instil in youth a sense of patriotism as well as getting them involved in crafting solutions to Jamaica’s problems.

“It really comes down to how you revive our national spirit. It will have to be addressed on a number of levels. One which we spoke of is the whole educational system, [fostering] the belief that you have a responsibility to a wider community and to shape your own expectations of life, not in relation to the realities of somewhere else, but your commitment to here,” Phillips said.

The PNP leader was speaking yesterday at a Gleaner Editors’ Forum held at the company’s North Street offices in central Kingston to discuss the party’s plans if it is elected to government.

President of the PNPYO, Krystal Tomlinson, has indicated that the party leader is on the right track.

“The common concept of engagement is to add a few youth to committees and call it ‘done’, but if youth are to maximise their influence, they must first see themselves as critical actors in the definition and practice of nationhood and national life.

“The best vehicle to trigger and clarify that call to duty is through the education system. We have long held the view that Garveyism – a culturally relevant and Jamaican-bred global philosophy – should form part of the national school curriculum at the primary and secondary levels,” said Tomlinson.

In April, the PNPYO called for an overhaul of the party’s leadership and machinery because it was dissatisfied with the pace of reforms.

The resolution came out of a 21-point set of recommendations to the party.

“The secretariat needs strengthening. Comrade Julian Robinson needs to be as good a general secretary as he is an MP. He needs to be bolder and more decisive,” the statement said. “If he is not up to the task, he should resign. Comrade Luther Buchanan needs to step down as deputy general secretary ... .”

The YO also accused party Chairman Fitz Jackson and the officer corps of not listening to voices outside their inner circle.

nickoy.wilson@gleanerjm.com