Partner with Church to implement values-based education

THE EDITOR, Madam:

This is an open letter to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

As you know, prime minister, the recent adjustment to the compensation to teachers in public schools has adversely impacted private schools and have created a scenario where many of our teachers are looking at leaving our institutions in order to take up positions in the public system.

This is a free market so we cannot, and will not, stop persons from seeking out what they may consider better opportunities. However, this situation has served to highlight the need for a more holistic approach to building a more suitable education sector in the nation, and to emphasise an urgent and critical need for you to lead an initiative of building a proper partnership between the Government and the private education sector in Jamaica.

I would like to remind you, Hon Prime Minister, that you recently said that your Government was seeking to expand its partnership with the Church to build more schools in Jamaica. You were speaking at the recently conducted 2023 Pentecostal Assembly, hosted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, at the National Arena in Kingston on May 28.

Sir, you indicated that the aim of your Government is to implement values-based education in the society, after recognising what you described as a “transition” in the country’s foundational values. You also went on to emphasise that “being grounded in a faith-based educational programme is still powerful and valuable in today’s world”.

Prime minister, these are very insightful and significant pronouncements, and if you really mean what you said, the Jamaica Independent Schools Association do share your concerns and we are in total and full support of this initiative. If this becomes a reality, there will be major, positive outcomes for the future of the country.

In doing so, a good place to start partnering with the Church is to recognise that an overwhelming number of the private schools in Jamaica are linked to prominent churches, or a faith-based organisation, or founded by a person of faith, and are generally very focused on delivering faith-based or values-based educational programmes. In supporting these institutions, you would in fact be off to a great start, and a less expensive start in forming a powerful partnership with the Church. I am really praying that you are sincere and serious about what you have shared.

I am therefore calling on you to put your money where the mouth is. Let’s get this partnership off the ground.

PASTOR WESLEY BOYNES

President

Jamaica Independent

Schools Association