It was shocking to hear the minister of education’s assessment of the results of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination results. The notion that boys are underperforming vis-à-vis their female counterparts in mathematics and language arts and...
In a very robust and engaging panel discussion on the subject of constitutional reform, the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC), on May 2, signalled its intention to get involved in a process designed to reform the way we live, move, and being a...
It may be early but we are firmly in the throes of political tomfoolery often called “the silly season.” There’s no more embarrassing example of this blight upon the land than the ongoing garbage dumped on us by JLP and PNP regarding politicians’...
“It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to, Cry if I want to. You would cry too, if it happened to you.” – Lesly Gore A political party is, at its first essence, a gathering of men of bloated egos, each having his own directions, each...
On July 3, Jamaica will enforce the Sexual Harassment Act, which is primarily aimed at ensuring that environments for work, institutions, and accommodation are free from sexual harassment. Notably, thanks to the strong advocacy of the Jamaica...
In its report on the Reform of Education in Jamaica, The Jamaica Education Transformation Commission noted that “Jamaica has a great need for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) education”. The Ministry of Education and Youth is...
The challenges in public health are varied and many – not the least of these the delivery of good customer service, which must be prioritised. It was, therefore, with interest that I recently read an article that called attention to this issue...
Anna* is a survivor of domestic violence living in Jamaica. She said the father of her first child physically and verbally abused her for three of the five years of their relationship and became worse after she became pregnant. “He would get...
America’s ties with South Africa were recently shaken by the explosive but unproven allegation by the US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, that Tshwane had shipped arms to Russia. Nine months ago, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken,...
The Report on Reparations for Transatlantic Chattel Slavery (TCS) in the Americas and the Caribbean, an initiative of Judge Patrick Robinson, which he presented on June 8 at The University of the West Indies, has in been the media. The event was...
A little over a week ago, I received a call from my old friend [stress on ‘friend.’ Not on ‘old.’] Pearnel Charles Sr. He wanted to talk about a university study that highlighted results that were seriously unfavourable to politicians and Jamaican...
Norman Manley Law School and Jamaican Bar Association are simultaneously celebrating 50th Anniversaries. So I attended a jointly produced forum on the current Constitutional Reform process. Three panellists were advertised but I was disappointed...
Last month marked the institutionalisation of 60 years of African unity with the birth of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa. To avoid border conflicts, the 53-member body froze the colonially inherited map of Africa, which...
Fatherhood is a sacred and transformative journey that carries immense responsibilities and joys. A good father is a source of stability, guidance, and unwavering support for his children. With love, sacrifice, and wisdom, he plays an irreplaceable...
June 15 marked one month since the unconscionable announcement by Finance Minister Nigel Clarke to increase the salaries of the political directorate by more than 200 per cent and to increase the tax-free salary of the governor general (GG) by 183...
All across Jamaica, PNP house burning down. When Mark Golding was elected PNP President by a small sample of persons labelled “delegates” (some from PNP “Affiliates”) he promised to have PNP’s Constitution amended to allow all registered party...
Recently, it has become customary in the Western media to blame Russia, without any substantiation, for the global economic crisis. This comes against the backdrop of rising prices of food, fertilisers, and energy, as well as disruptions in the...
It is understandable if you are suffering from whiplash to follow the gory details of the news in today’s Jamaica. We are still reeling from the incredible story released a year and a half ago of Gabriel King, whose mother was allegedly boxed in...
On 25 May 1963, a genuine Pan-African institution, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), was born. The OAU later transformed into the African Union (AU) in 2002. The celebration of ‘Africa Day’ in May 2023, marked 60-year commemoration of the...
In one speech, the prime minister shows comfort with both sides of one issue. He wants senior members of his Government – Mrs Malahoo Forte, Mr Morgan, Mr Warmington, and party Chairman Mr Montague to cease the ‘cass cass’ regarding the Integrity...
The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has reached alarming levels, posing significant challenges to public health. Acknowledging the gravity of this situation, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) in Jamaica has taken...
Global plastic production has increased exponentially in the last decades, reaching nearly 400 million tons per year. Of this total, only nine per cent has been recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, and between 19 and 23 million tons end up in...
Jamaicans’ vulnerability to entrenched colonial brainwashing, aggravated by 60 years of failure to begin remedial education, affects every strata of society. So, Jamaica Observer reported (May 30) that eminent Counsel K.D. Knight mounted a solo...
About a decade ago a petty cybercriminal relieved one of my bank accounts of $60,000. From three ATM locations. In the space of less than an hour. It took me about a month for the bank to repay me. Although I asked questions, the bank clammed up...
“... Sun a shine an pot a bwile, but ... Things no bright, bickle no nuff ... Rain a fall, river dah flood, but, ... Water scarce and dutty tough ...” penned Louise Bennett-Coverley. This is likely to be the refrain of teachers, nurses,...
