Let Vision 2030 not be a distant dream

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Jamaica’s Vision 2030 is now feeling more like a distant mirage than a road map.

Crime and violence remain relentless; despite years of empty promises, high-profile summits, and fleeting initiatives, our communities remain trapped in a cycle of fear and insecurity. How can we build a prosperous Jamaica when citizens are afraid to walk their neighbourhoods after dark or send their children to school without worry? Each senseless act of violence leaves families shattered and communities fractured, deepening the scars of a nation struggling to fulfil its potential.

The impact of crime discourages investment, stifles economic growth, and erodes the sense of unity essential for societal development. Young people, confronted with poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunities, are often drawn into crime as a means of survival, perpetuating a vicious cycle we have failed to break. Policing alone will never solve this crisis; but change requires addressing the root causes of violence through meaningful reform in education, economic development, and social justice.

The healthcare and education systems remain plagued by inequity and neglect. While urban elites may enjoy relative privilege, rural communities are left to grapple with mediocrity and systemic disregard. Children in these areas still walk miles to attend dilapidated schools where resources are sparse, classrooms are overcrowded, and teachers are overburdened. Meanwhile, those seeking medical care often endure hours-long waits in understaffed and underequipped clinics, where even basic services can seem like luxuries.

Such disparities are more than an injustice — they are a direct threat to our nation’s future. These inequities leave behind entire segments of our population, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting the potential of future generations. This is not the Jamaica we were promised, and it’s certainly not the Jamaica our people deserve. Progress demands urgent investments in rural schools and clinics, a commitment to equitable resource allocation, and a national will to prioritise the dignity and welfare of all Jamaicans — urban and rural alike.

Climate change is a huge challenge, hurricanes have become stronger, the seas are rising higher, and yet we continue to destroy our forests and pollute our coasts.

But the real question is this: where is the leadership? Transparency and accountability have become buzzwords rather than guiding principles. Corruption festers while critical funds are siphoned away from the people who need them most. How can we trust a system that seems more concerned with padding pockets than solving problems?

Renewable energy projects and digital advances are worth celebrating. But let’s be real — small victories cannot mask the glaring failures. We are running out of excuses, and running out of time.

With just five years left to Vision 2030, we need action. Civil society, private sector, and people must rise together to hold leaders accountable and force the change we so desperately need. We can’t let Vision 2030 go down as yet another unfulfilled promise.

DAVE FOSTER

Teacher of Spanish

Manchester High School