MOEY partners with JADE to launch major debate intervention in schools

The Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY) is partnering with the Jamaican Association for Debating and Empowerment (JADE) Limited to undertake an islandwide initiative dubbed ‘Debate PULSE (Promoting Understanding, Leadership and Speech Empowerment)’. The start of this initiative will be the centrepiece during the National Debaters’ Week (NDW) 2024 media launch to be held today (October 8). The Ministry of Education and Youth will deliver the keynote address, confronting the issue of the need for improved educational outcomes and the increasing violence in schools.

During the address, MOEY will launch the Debate PULSE initiative, a targeted programme that will use structured debating to engage students in schools. This initiative is designed to foster a culture of solution-focused dialogue within schools, empowering students to address problems head-on in productive and non-violent ways. JADE founder and Executive Director Germaine Barrett stated, “The Debate PULSE initiative is set to reshape how students handle their issues in Jamaica. By embedding debate into our schools and communities, we are encouraging young people to think critically and speak with purpose.”

All media outlets are invited to the official NDW 2024 media launch today, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Lecture Theatre 50, University of Technology, Jamaica (Papine Campus). National Debaters’ Week 2024 will run from Sunday, October 13 to Saturday, October 19. The media launch will provide details of the week’s agenda, with the spotlight on the challenges confronting Jamaica’s education system.

NDW 2024 marks JADE’s decade-long commitment to empowering young Jamaicans through debate. Over the past 10 years, JADE has equipped youth with the tools to engage in thoughtful discourse, navigate complex issues, and develop essential communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. This week of activities will continue to inspire future leaders to rise and make a meaningful impact in their communities, solidifying JADE’s role as a key player in fostering debate and leadership across Jamaica.