Jamaica’s children must not be forgotten

THE EDITOR, Madam:

One year after Hurricane Melissa unleashed its destructive force on Jamaica, our nation remains far from full recovery. Homes remain damaged, families are still rebuilding, and the rebuilding of affected schools continues. Yet, amid conversations about national recovery, I fear that our children’s plight is not receiving the urgency it deserves.

Recent reports indicated that 682 schools were affected by the hurricane, with 63 severely damaged schools completed under the reconstruction programme as at October 23. While progress must be acknowledged, reopening schools does not necessarily mean that suitable conditions for learning have been restored.

As an educator, I know firsthand that some students depend on their teachers for more than academic instruction. There are instances when teachers become informal loan agencies, providing money for students to purchase food, while others quietly ensure that hungry children receive something to eat. Such compassion is admirable, but teachers should not have to compensate for gaps in the systems intended to protect our children.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs reminds us that food, safety, security, and belonging are fundamental to human development. These needs cannot be postponed until national reconstruction is complete.

We cannot be building for the future while sacrificing the future - our children! Our children ought to be at the centre of rebuilding if we are serious about sustainable growth and development.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has himself expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of recovery. But what does slow recovery mean for a child whose home remains damaged, whose parents have lost their livelihood, or who attends school hungry?

Both the Government and the Opposition must ensure that children are central to the recovery agenda. We need transparent updates on school repairs, housing assistance, and the distribution of relief, alongside targeted support for nutrition, counselling, and learning recovery.

Our children have already endured significant educational disruptions, including those associated with COVID-19. We cannot allow another crisis to deepen existing inequalities and compromise their future.

Jamaica cannot wait until every road is repaired, every roof replaced, and every building reconstructed before addressing the needs of its children. Educational recovery must proceed alongside national reconstruction, not after it.

Neison Williams