By Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer
Henry-Wilson
WESTERN BUREAU:
MINISTER OF Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry-Wilson yesterday made an impassioned appeal for the nation to spend less time berating the island's youth, and instead take responsibility for nurturing, guiding and supporting them.
"Our youths are playing the hand that we as adults dealt them," she told a large gathering of students, parents, educators and dignitaries at the National Church Service to mark the start of 'Youth and Parent Month' at the St. James Parish Church yesterday. "We tend to forget that they live in a world we created," said the minister.
Articulating the importance of celebra-ting Youth and Parent Month together, she urged adults to recognise that the country's youths did not create the pornographic videos they are exposed to, "neither the guns and inequities in the society".
She said Youth Month "is a period used to showcase who and what the island's young people are. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is also the time when they are asked to take responsibility for the world in which they are living."
Encouraging the young people in the audience, she drew reference to both the national and international stage they will eventually perform on and stated, "We want you to be excellent on that stage."
Both the minister and State Minister Dr. Donald Rhodd described correlation parenting and youth development as inseparable components for national development.
Using the theme, adopted by the Ministry this year, 'I Pledge My Heart', which was taken from the Jamaican National Pledge, Dr. Rhodd expressed hope that the pledge will create the catalyst needed to unite the country's youth and citizens, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political differences.
IMPORTANT INGREDIENT
He said a recent survey showed that students and youths identified parenting as an important ingredient which needs to be addressed. "I urge parents, and in particular fathers, to honour their responsibilities towards their children. Children, on the other hand, must respect and honour their parents as it is written in the Bible."
During November, a second National Youth Policy will be tabled. It is expected to create the platform upon which a National Strategic Development Plan for Youth, as well as Youth Development Programmes and Projects for the next 10 years.
Already the flagship programme implemented by the ministry, Operation Phoenix has established Youth Information Centres in Portmore and Port Maria. Minister Rhodd said both programmes have received over 90 per cent rating from the almost 10,000 youth who have used their services.
And during the ensuing year, at least three more centres will be established in Montego Bay, Kingston and Port Antonio.
