Student leadership: Jamaica’s secret weapon for the future

“Leadership is not about having the loudest voice – it is about being willing to listen, to serve, and to show up when it matters,” said Sabrina Barnes, Student Leader at The University of the West Indies.

Her words, often attributed to Michelle Obama, capture the essence of what we are witnessing this student government election season across Jamaica – an inspiring surge in youthful leadership that speaks volumes about the potential of our country’s future.

Across tertiary institutions, students are campaigning with a new level of seriousness and strategy. Their manifestos are well-researched, their public engagements thoughtful, and their grasp of national issues impressive.

These young people are not merely running for student government – they are laying the foundation for the kind of leadership Jamaica requires in boardrooms, communities, Parliament, and beyond.

Having led and worked with several student leadership bodies myself, I can say with certainty that student leadership is not symbolic – it is substantial. It involves real responsibility, strategic thinking, and service.

I have had the opportunity to mentor and train student leaders who have gone on to thrive in fields such as education, law, medicine, banking, finance, technology, automotive, and communications. These young people began their leadership journeys long before they attained professional titles. It started with organising meetings, representing their peers, and learning how to navigate people, systems, and pressure. That experience shaped them.

My own work with student leaders inspired me to write the book ‘Student Leadership: The Backbone to Becoming a Great Leader’, which I have used as a training guide in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Through that journey, I have become even more convinced that leadership must become part of our cultural fabric – from early childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood.

NATIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY FOR YOUTH LEADERS

If we begin cultivating leadership values in children and reinforce them through structured opportunities in schools, Jamaica will not only meet its developmental goals – we may even exceed them.

To make this a reality, we need to institutionalise youth leadership training on a national scale. Just as we have a National College for Educational Leadership to train our principals, we need a National Training Academy for Youth Leaders.

This academy, ideally overseen by the Policy and Adolescent Division of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, would offer specialised training that supplements formal education.

Areas such as social media diplomacy, climate and environmental leadership, global technology and artificial intelligence, conflict resolution, advocacy, and ethical leadership should form part of the curriculum. The aim is to create leaders who are not only academically qualified but socially aware, globally competent, and digitally savvy.

We already have the roots of this vision. Student-led organisations such as the National Secondary Students’ Council, the Jamaica Prefects’ Association, and the Jamaica Union of Tertiary Students have long provided platforms for young leaders to have a voice. What we need now is a national structure to take these leaders from potential to power.

Student leadership is more than just a stepping stone; it is a launching pad. It builds character, vision, discipline, and heart. It teaches young people how to organise, how to advocate, how to serve, and how to lead with both confidence and humility.

If we nurture these qualities at every level of the education system, we will cultivate a generation that does not simply hope for a better Jamaica – they will lead the charge in building it.

We must act now. Let us invest in our student leaders. Let us institutionalise leadership development. Let us challenge our ministries, our schools, and our communities to see leadership not as an elite calling, but as a national culture.

Because Jamaica does not just need leaders. Jamaica needs student leaders. They are, and have always been, our nation’s secret weapon for the future.

- Leroy Fearon is the Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, The Mico University College, author and researcher. Email feedback to: leroyfearon85@gmail.com and editorial@gleanerjm.com

BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE STUDENT LEADER

LEADERSHIP MINDSET & VALUES

• Lead with service, not ego – True leadership means listening, showing up, and serving your peers, not just speaking the loudest.

• Embrace responsibility – Student leadership is not symbolic; it carries real expectations and impact.

• Be both confident and humble – Lead with heart, discipline, and empathy.

• See leadership as a journey – Every meeting you organise and issue you represent builds your capacity for national leadership.

SKILLS TO DEVELOP

• Strategic thinking – Plan your actions with intention, especially during campaigns and decision-making.

• Public engagement – Communicate clearly, thoughtfully, and respectfully in all forums.

• Conflict resolution – Learn to manage disagreements and unite diverse perspectives.

• Advocacy & representation – Understand student needs deeply and speak up effectively on their behalf.

STAY GLOBALLY & DIGITALLY AWARE

• Learn social media diplomacy – Use digital platforms wisely to inform, mobilise, and inspire.

• Stay informed on global issues – Be aware of developments in climate change, technology, and education.

• Embrace AI and innovation – Effective future leaders must be comfortable navigating digital transformation.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TRAINING & OPPORTUNITIES

• Join national student bodies – Engage with the National Secondary Students’ Council, Jamaica Prefects’ Association, or Jamaica Union of Tertiary Students.

• Advocate for structured leadership development – Push for the establishment of a National Training Academy for Youth Leaders.

• Seek mentorship – Learn from experienced student leaders and professionals across fields.

THINK LONG-TERM: LEADERSHIP BEYOND SCHOOL

• Use student leadership as a launching pad – This is your training ground for future roles in education, politics, business, and civil society.

• Promote leadership culture in schools – Encourage peers to get involved and help leadership become part of Jamaica’s cultural fabric.

• Lead with vision and purpose – Aim to build a better Jamaica, not just win an election.