Jamaica’s Kids Climate Camp plants seeds of awareness

There is a perception that younger children cannot grasp climate change issues. It’s too complicated. So, at least in Jamaica, education on climate change only begins with high school students, who are studying science (and I am honestly not sure how much the topic is a part of the curriculum). All of this needs to … More Jamaica’s Kids Climate Camp plants seeds of awareness

Broken societies put people and planet on collision course, says UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report 2020 was just launched globally at lunchtime today (December 15). It is headlined “The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene.” Unfortunately there were technical problems, so we were unable to watch a live stream. The UNDP notes: An experimental global index offers a new measurement … More Broken societies put people and planet on collision course, says UNDP

ICYMI in Jamaica, September 8, 2020: (No) Princes and Princesses, Election Aftermath, and Women in the News

Jamaicans are election-weary and COVID-weary. With the first one out of the way (what a relief, really), we still have the second to contend with. September is generally considered the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and this year we have already had two brushes with Laura and Nana, but expect more rumblings from west … More ICYMI in Jamaica, September 8, 2020: (No) Princes and Princesses, Election Aftermath, and Women in the News

Unfair and Unequal: New UNDP Report Sheds Light on Discontent in Latin America and the Caribbean

Well, not so much the Caribbean, you might think. However, in case we had not noticed, there have been rumblings in Dominica of late (politics and then some), and Haiti has seen a year of protests. As I noted in my previous post, “Poor People Fed Up”! There is a lot of discontent, in particular … More Unfair and Unequal: New UNDP Report Sheds Light on Discontent in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Children of Rose Town Need Your Help This Summer

It’s summer camp time, again. The school holidays are long. While more privileged children enjoy exciting activities throughout the summer, and may even travel abroad, for some communities a summer camp is a lifeline for children and their parents. Please see the following urgent message from the Rose Town Foundation, below, and help a child … More The Children of Rose Town Need Your Help This Summer

The British Council’s Boys in Education Week

What are the challenges facing boys in education – and where are the opportunities for them to excel? The British Council’s second annual Boys in Education Week is designed to give the boys the support they need – including mentoring, and the possibility of a more long term project in this area. Anyway, here is … More The British Council’s Boys in Education Week

Submit Your Comments on the Privacy of Personal Data Bill By January 17!

The National Identification and Registration Act 2017 (known as the NIDS legislation) was passed in the House of Representatives on November 21, 2017, amidst considerable public debate. You can read the entire legislation here.  For more information on NIDS, go to the dedicated website. You can also submit queries on the site, which has an extensive … More Submit Your Comments on the Privacy of Personal Data Bill By January 17!

JET to Honour Teachers as it Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Schools’ Environment Programme

I can hardly think of anything more important than environmental education, especially in these treacherous times. Now the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is celebrating the 20th anniversary (can it really be so long?) of its Schools’ Environment Programme (SEP), which I consider to be a model programme of its kind. I have written about the … More JET to Honour Teachers as it Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Schools’ Environment Programme

Empowering the Disabled Community: Guest Blog Post by Wayne Campbell

I really missed out on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on December 3. I simply did not get a chance to write on the topic. So I am glad fellow blogger Wayne Campbell addressed the issue of disability rights in this article, which gives much food for thought on the way forward. Wayne … More Empowering the Disabled Community: Guest Blog Post by Wayne Campbell

Digicel Foundation’s Mobile Science Labs Are Inspiring Students

It’s been a very long time since I last saw a Bunsen burner. However, I had a little frisson of recognition on November 17, at the Digicel Foundation’s official handover of a Mobile Science Laboratory to José Martí Technical High School. There was the lovely little burner I remember so well, being skillfully lit by a student … More Digicel Foundation’s Mobile Science Labs Are Inspiring Students