Parents must pay auxiliary fees – Jamaica Gleaner – Wednesday | June 20, 2012
In making his contribution to the 2012-2013 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, Thwaites said the $11,500 subsidy provided by the Government for direct tuition for each child at the secondary level was insufficient to meet the reasonable cost of quality high-school education.
“Auxiliary fees, therefore, represent a necessary part of a school’s ability to finance their operations. These fees, which are worked out in conjunction with representatives of parents and principals, are not optional extras which you pay if you feel like,” the minister said.
Yesterday, Thwaites insisted that families who can’t pay the auxiliary fees one time must be given the opportunity to pay it over the school year.
“Supporting your child in school must come before the Rizzla and the rum; before the hair extensions and the bashment clothes; before the numbers game and the racehorse bets,” the minister said.
In the meantime, Thwaites noted that nearly half the population is on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). He acknowledged that parents cannot afford to pay for auxiliary fees for children on PATH and said the state should seek to give schools more money to support their education.
“The Ministry of Education is pleading with the ministries of finance and social security to contribute $2,000 a year for each PATH student beneficiary. It is a matter of justice and equity, not charity,” Thwaites said.
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I wish GSAT would leave the earth – News/Video Link – JamaicaObserver.com
VIDEO: ‘I wish GSAT would leave the earth’ – News – JamaicaObserver.com.
“I see not only children suffering, but I see parents suffering,” he said. Results of the 2012 tests are expected to be released within a few days. The GSAT, which replaced the Common Entrance Examination in 19mathematics, Language Arts, Communication Tasks, Social Studies, and Integrated Science.
However, there have been increasing calls from parents and students to make adjustments to the exams, which have been blamed for traumatising children.
“The stress that people go through, the stress that it brings on our children, the disappointment afterwards are all hurting our kids, and I really wish that there could be some creative way of getting beyond this,” said Fuderich. “I know there are resource constrictions; I know… that there are schools that are interspersed across the island and people compete for the different schools, but somehow we have to do a better job, because the pressure that this puts on children is inexcusable,” he said.
Learn MoreThe Ministry of Education has undertaken a comprehensive review of the exam. The assessment team comprises a consortium from the University of Wolverhampton, Pearson Educational Unit and DPK Jamaica Limited.
The findings of the assessment are expected to be ready by yearend and will guide the ministry on what changes are needed to make the exam more age-appropriate.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-I-wish-GSAT-would-leave-the-earth-_11675739#ixzz1xympKfUj
Test time
We love these suggestions. Having a plan is always reassuring, no matter how young you are. its reassuring for nervous parents too!
Learn MoreThree lessons from Armadale – JamaicaObserver.com
Learn MoreThe fire at Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre on May 22, 2009 should have transformed Jamaica’s juvenile justice system. It should have caused a national reflection on how the State treats the vulnerable, the incarcerated and the condemned. Amidst ever-increasing levels of distrust in politicians and public officials, in addition to constant claims of inaction and a refusal to hold individuals accountable, this was an opportunity to prove us critics wrong.
Instead, three years later, it proved three things:
Lesson 1: They gonna talk
On November 3, 2009, then Solicitor General Douglas Leys told the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that, “a new culture is emerging, a new day is dawning in the attitude of the State towards children in places of safety”.
Less than three years since Leys’ statement, the question should be asked, has the new day arrived? A look at a few headlines since the start of the year shows us that we have not learnt much, if anything at all.
On January 26, news surfaced that the Children’s Advocate received reports that Maxfield Park Children’s Home lacked proper safety measures, a resident nurse, fire extinguishers and had a malfunctioning fire hydrant. A new culture?
A couple of weeks after, the country was informed that children were still being held in police lock-ups and adult prisons. It was reported that 40 boys were in adult lock-ups and 56 girls in adult prison. A new day?
Lesson 2: Impunity reigns
The fire occurred under the watch of Mrs June Spence-Jarrett, the acting commissioner of corrections at the time. She assumed this position in December 2008, having previously been a deputy commissioner and director of juvenile institutions.
Then, in July of 2009, during the Armadale Enquiry, Mrs Spence-Jarrett was promoted to commissioner of corrections. It wasn’t until March 2010, after the release of the Armadale Report and mounting public pressure, that she was removed only to be assigned as the CEO of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica.
New attitude? Apparently not. The attitude remains the same: we must place more emphasis on protecting the reputation of adults than on the well-being of our children.
Lesson 3: We have to act
Unfortunately, the cycle of gross neglect towards children in State care has become engrained in our culture. However, the same is true for the cycle of silence on the part of Jamaicans. We must accept responsibility for our inaction and indifference. It is our duty to keep the fire under the Government’s feet, for the sake of our children. We have the power to determine what will be said at the fourth, fifth and 10th Armadale memorials.
Let us be the ones who ensure that all children are taken out of adult lock-ups. Let us call for the provision of quality education by qualified teachers for all children in juvenile justice institutions. Let us insist that all institutions are equipped with a full-time medical orderly or nurse in-residence as well as an increase in visits from medical and mental health personnel.
It is said that with a new day comes a new beginning. Not so for our children in State care. They deserve a new day, a new culture and a new attitude. We must act, and we must act now.
Alexis Goffe
Kingston, Jamaica
For the love of our children – National Children’s Day now official in Jamaica
It’s official! For the first time ever in Jamaica, we now have an official National Children’s Day. By a proclamation of the governor general, he did “hereby, proclaim the third Friday in the month of May annually as National Children’s Day … ” This year, National Children’s Day is May 18.
For this, the inaugural, Children’s Day, the National Child Month Committee is asking for four simple things:
1) For everyone “to honour, esteem, show appreciation and love our children through recognition, treats, tokens, hugs and kisses, words of encouragement etc. helping them to feel special in the same way we honour parents on Mother’s and Fathers’ Day.”;
2) Motorists to keep the headlights on during the day;
3) The media to have child-focused programming;
4) People should wear “sunshine yellow – reflecting the joy of celebration of our children and the prospect for growth for a better future”.
Surely, we must be able to do these simple acts to show support for our children.
What does National Children’s Day mean to you? How will you mark this special day? And what do YOU think we should be doing , as a nation, to make National Children’s Day a meaningful one?
Learn MoreOnce a Spouse, Always a Parent (Part 2)
Age appropriate strategies to help your child cope with divorce or separation
Children experience their parents’ separation/divorce differently throughout the different stages of development. The following are age appropriate suggestions for ways to help your child cope during this challenging period:
Birth to 2 years
At this stage maintaining consistency in your child’s environment is essential. Time spent with parents, siblings, grandparents should not decrease significantly. Try having family members visit the child instead of the child being moved back and forth between different locations. Hug, kiss, play, walk and cuddle with your child as much as possible.
2 to 7 years
In addition to maintaining consistency, more verbal communication is needed at this age. Communicate in simple words with your child that a change will take place. Going into major detail about why this change is taking place is not necessary. However, certain messages should be communicated by both parents such as: “We will always be your mummy and daddy,” “we will always love you,” “this not your fault, this is between mummy and daddy” and “if you ever want to talk about how you feel or have any questions feel free to ask us.” Additionally, let your child know what the arrangements will be once you and your spouse are separated.
7 to 12 years
During these years, try to establish open communication with your child. At this stage, children gradually become more aware of their emotions, they start to detect differences around them. One such difference may be that their friends and/or classmates do or do not have both parents dropping them to school. Your child may experience intense feelings of anger, guilt or sadness. Even though they may be hard for you to see, these are natural responses and children should be told this. It may be invaluable to the child if you “check in” with them. Ask open ended questions such as, “how do you feel about us separating?” “Is there anything I can do to help make this transition better for you?” And as always, try maintaining consistency as much as possible.
12 to 18 years
Two important suggestions for parents with children at this stage:
i) Let your child cry on your shoulder. However, do not cry on theirs. Children worry and they care about their parents immensely. A natural instinct may be for children to take on adult roles or for parents to tell their children that it is time to be the head of the house. Keep the roles clear for yourself and your child.
ii) Promote healthy outlets for your child’s emotions. Avoid significant increases in fast food, time on the computer or playing video games. Be aware of experimentation with alcohol and/or smoking. To counteract this, offer to host your child’s friends for games or movie nights, trips to the beach, counselling and of course, keep the lines of communication open.
Learn MoreOnce a Spouse, Always a Parent
Three Ways to Help Your Child through Divorce or Separation
While marriage in Jamaica has decreased from 22,152 in 2008 to 20,489 in 2010, divorce is on the rise with 1,654 and 2,371 cases being reported in 2008 and 2010 respectively (STATIN). Additionally, recommendations have been made for an easier divorce process in an attempt to address the current backlog in the courts. One can assume that increasing numbers of co-habiting and common–law parents are also separating. Despite the increase in parental separation, many mothers and fathers have little or no idea of how best to handle this stress both for themselves and for their children.
TIP ONE: Self Care
First things first; make sure you are taking care of yourself. Use healthy coping mechanisms such as exercising and enlisting the support of loved ones. If you find yourself withdrawing socially or being overwhelmed at work, seek counselling. Separation is one of the TOP THREE highest stressors for any adult in the world. Self-care is vital because children worry. It is important to minimize how much your child worries about you and it is even more important that you DO NOT let your child take care of you.
TIP TWO: Create a Child Relations (CR) Campaign
Children deserve to be given updates from the moment divorce/separation is imminent, throughout the process and after the separation. Both parents need to discuss, develop and carefully plan how they intend to handle this process with children. Your plan should take into account your child’s age*. Remember:-
1) Be honest – Parents want to protect their children and keeping the truth away from them is a common strategy. While parents mean well, hiding the truth may do more harm than good. Children are intuitive and will realise that “something is not right.” They may create their own explanations about what is happening and often time blame themselves. Children deserve the truth especially when it concerns a potentially challenging experience for the child.
2) Be simple and straightforward – Children respond better to simple and direct explanations. Both parents need to work together to ensure that your child:
i) is reassured that they are loved by both parents,
ii) knows they are not the reason for the divorce and
iii) feels free to ask questions.
TIP THREE: Maintain Routine
For many, change is hard and the uncertain, scary. Trying to cope with too many changes at once can be difficult for children. As a result, parents must make a major effort to maintain stability. Avoid, as much as possible, significant changes to your child’s bed times, morning routine, pickups and drop offs to dance, extra lessons or sports. Discipline must be agreed and maintained. Do not allow your child to play adults against each other. Maintaining a united front at this time of upheaval will reassure your child that they do not have to be “in charge” and it will make future challenges of co-parenting easier for all. And most importantly, the signs of affection: hugs, kisses and “I love you’s” should flow as freely as before the changes began.
*Check out Part 2 for age appropriate suggestions.
Alexis Goffe is a masters level counselling psychologist at Caribbean Tots to Teens. He can be reached at alexis@caribbeantotstoteens.com A slightly modified version of this article was published in the Paediatric Association of Jamaica’s Child Month Supplement in the Jamaica Gleaner on May 8th, 2012.
Learn MoreA-U-T-I-S-M: on the outside looking in.
Autism is a spectrum disorder. That means that each child can be affected in different ways and each child can be helped in different ways. As the number of children diagnosed with autism rises all over the world, chances are, right here in the Caribbean, you already know a family who is challenged with this disorder.
We all know that saying things like…
Why don’t you leave your child at home?
Your child is frightening my children!
I am so sorry for you.
Why don’t you try the gluten-free, live-food diet?
…are all painful, insensitive and unnecessary statements. But what SHOULD you say or do when a friend tells you their child has been diagnosed with autism? We have a few suggestions.
A Ask how you can help
U Understand how the family feels
T Teach your children about autism
I Individualize the Issues
S Support the cause and share all you learn
M Make memories: Celebrate the joys! Share the sorrows.
Ask how you can help
Never assume you know what the family needs. Sometimes they may need a babysitter for a few hours. Maybe they need help with the non autistic children, to allow them to spend more time with their autistic child. Sometimes offering to visit the house when there is no babysitter is just the ticket to include a Mommy who may be feeling overwhelmed or left out. A listening ear, offered with a non-judgemental heart, is a rare and precious gift. Do you have one to share?
Understand how the family feels
Allow the family to lead the way. Ask them how they feel. Not every day is a ‘bad day’. Children with autism develop, learn and change and just like parenting any child; parenting a child with autism has its ups and downs. Never assume that parents are feeling sorry for themselves.
Teach other children
Children can be cruel. Children are always curious. Teach other children how they can play with children with autism. Teach your children to accommodate and interact with your friend’s child with autism. Prevent bullying and discrimination. Teach kindness.
Individualize the Issues
Let the parent and family know that you do NOT know about THEIR child’s disorder. Even if you have experience with an individual with autism before, every child is different. Ask them to tell you more. What makes their child different? Is there something you should do to prepare for when that child is coming to visit? Is there anything they cannot or should not eat? Become aware of the special needs and be supportive in a meaningful way.
Support and share what you learn
Support the cause in any way you can: can you help with the website, sell raffle tickets, or simply tell another friend how to help. Share everything you know. Be a voice for the cause.
Make Memories
Children with autism can achieve goals. They can develop. They can be naughty. They are children, before they are children with autism. Parents of children with autism can be great parents. They can be interactive and fun parents. They can be tired and frustrated parents. They enjoy parenting. They love their children. Celebrate the JOYS, Share the Sorrows. Your presence and caring can mean so much to a family that often feels misunderstood, rejected and alone.
Autism Awareness Month in Jamaica has begun again and the national and individual challenges for children with autism and their parents continue. Let’s do all we can to support them.
We at Tots to Teens are happy to have a team of therapists who offer Assessment, Counselling Psychotherapy (for talkers) and Art Therapy (especially for “non-talkers” or pre-verbal clients) to children and families of children with CHRONIC ILLNESSES. We are working to be an excellent source of professional help to Jamaican families dealing with these sensitive and specific issues. Call us at the Office of Tots to Teens: 978.8535 or email us for more information info@caribbeantotstoteens.com.
Learn MoreWe have promised them much….
A Report Card on adolescents: UNICEF April 2012
For adolescents around the world, report cards
present a measure of their academic progress – and
can point the way towards their futures. But how does
the global community measure up in our efforts to
give those young people the futures they deserve –
and the tools and opportunities to make the most
of their lives?
As the 10th edition of UNICEF’s Progress for Children
shows, this report card is mixed. For while we have
made significant progress for millions of children over
the last decades – reducing child mortality, increasing
the number of children enrolled in primary school,
expanding access to health care services – our efforts
have left behind far too many adolescents between the
ages of 10 and 19.
We must reach them. For adolescence is not only a
pivotal time in the life of a child – the gateway to adulthood.
It is also a critical opportunity to make progress
for all children. And it is a stage of life in which we must
invest more attention, resources and effort today, or
suffer tomorrow the social and economic consequences
of a generation less equipped to become fully contributing
members of society.
Today’s adolescents were born under the auspices and
protections of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.
They are the children of the Millennium Declaration,
reared during a decade of unprecedented global effort to
create a more peaceful, prosperous and equitable world.
We have promised them much; and we must deliver.
