Removal of auxiliary fees, corporal punishment non-negotiable, says PM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the removal of auxiliary fees and prohibiting corporal punishment in schools are non-negotiable government policies which should be adhered to by principals and teachers.

Holness asserted that the Charter of Rights under the Constitution makes it an entitlement for children to have free access to primary education, inclusive of early-childhood education “without any obligatory fees.”

Additionally, he insisted there should be no corporal punishment in early-childhood institutions, particularly infant schools, because it results in the entrenchment and legitimisation of violence.

“I cannot wait until the cultural change happens. I must lead it by using institutions to set an example,” he asserted.

Holness was speaking at the official handover ceremony of the newly completed Jamaica-China Goodwill Infant Schools in West Central St Andrew on October 31.

A second Jamaica-China Goodwill Infant School has been opened in Eastern St Thomas.

Holness expressed gratitude to the Government and people of China for the two schools.

He said that the nation’s interest is being furthered through its relationship with China.

He pointed to developments under the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP) and the Jamaica North-South Highway as evidence of Jamaica’s healthy partnership with the country.

“The sovereignty of Jamaica is foremost in my mind. We (Jamaica and China) have mutual respect and regard for each other, and the relationship has been beneficial,” he added.

Holness further assured that where loans are secured on behalf of Jamaica from China they are done with the best interest rates.

“The Government of Jamaica, across Administrations, has made a commitment that we will reduce our indebtedness. We are coming from a 141 per cent debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, and by the end of this fiscal year just below 100 per cent... the target is to be 60 per cent debt to our GDP, and we’re going to get there. If we borrow, we borrow smartly. We’re living within our means,” he said. 

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