Prepare to be mind-blown by the eye-opening insights of Dr. Herbert Gayle in this thought-provoking podcast. Is Jamaica's education system failing its boys? Are women outperforming men academically? Join us as we look at education and independent Jamaica through the eyes of Dr. Gayle, an esteemed anthropologist and senior lecturer at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

In this riveting discussion, Dr. Gayle unravels the untold story of how historical factors have played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of Jamaica. He passionately argues that even before gaining independence in 1962, the seeds were sown for male students to face barriers to accessing quality education.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Gayle celebrates Jamaica's progress in education post-independence, shedding light on the remarkable achievements of women in the country's academic sphere. He attributes much of this success to the empowering messages about women's societal roles that gained momentum during the Michael Manley administration in the 1970s.

However, the real shocker lies in Dr. Gayle's assertion that the lopsided educational development between females and males has led to the emergence of a deeply flawed social structure. He connects the dots between this disparity and the alarming levels of violence that have plagued Jamaica. Brace yourself for his chilling prediction: "At the current rate, many women may end up with an MA degree but no M-A-N, and many men might have dollars but no sense."

Join us on Impacting Jamaica as our host, Byron Buckley, engages Dr. Gayle in a candid and enlightening conversation that will challenge your perspective on education, gender, and social dynamics in Jamaica.

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Anglican Bishop of Kingston Reverend Garth Minott envisions a Jamaican society based on respect, love, integrity, and peace.

He believes respect is at the heart of solving the problem of crime and violence which begins in the home with parents disrespecting children. He says respect means seeing the other person as valuable too.

“We are coming out of a context of enslavement where Blacks were not seen as people. They have driven that idea of non-personhood in us to the extent that we do not treat everyone with dignity and regard their worth,” he said.

Bishop Minott underscores the importance of integrity. “We need to begin paying attention to the holistic nature of people - body, mind, and spirit. We have to take seriously how people live, where they live and their quality of life,” Bishop Minott tells Impacting Jamaica host Byron Buckley.

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Music-loving clergyman, Astor Carlyle dream envisions the establishment in Jamaica of an international reggae Academy where the rudiments of Jamaican music and other art forms are taught along with the business aspect.

The Academy, he proposes, would recognize and award artistes, local and international, who excel in the Reggae music genre. He says the island-nation has adequate practitioners, professionals, and academicians to make the reggae academy a reality.

Rev Carlyle, who has been the pastor at Webster Memorial United Church in St Andrew for more than a decade, advocates the promotion of the God-consciousness among the population. This, he believes, supports the God principles of hard work, honoring life and facilitating the sustaining of the lives of others.

“When we have this God consciousness being so translated it then determines how I treat my neighbor, how I drive on my roads, how I obey the laws and how I ensure that moral consciousness is how I operate as a Jamaican,” Rev Carlyle tells Impacting Jamaica host Byron Buckley.

He believes this transformation in values should begin with the curriculum in schools, including teaching civics and holding devotions. In addition, the Church needs to re-engage communities through the holding of Sunday and Sabbath schools.Get more for the clergyman in this episode of Impacting Jamaica.

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Sixty years after gaining political Independence, Jamaica is at a major ideological crossroad and must decide which direction to take, says international cultural economy expert, Dr Deborah Hickling-Gordon.

She notes that the Jamaican society has been carrying a lot of baggage grounded in the colonial process which has affected our psyche even until today.

“My vision for the future requires us to stop in the present and reframe the direction we are taking,” Dr Hickling-Gordon tells Impacting Jamaica host, Byron Buckley.

She envisions Jamaica’s development through a five-part frame, including political ideology, philosophy, governance, economy, and operational mode. She points to the critical need for the Jamaican Society to articulate a workable political ideology following the ending of neo-liberal era featuring individualism and distrust of government ahead of the emergent post-global populist era. 

Dr Hickling-Gordon, who is coordinator of the cultural and creative industries programme at the University of the West Indies, said growth in the sector was achievable by incentivizing participants and integrating them into the formal economy.

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The Jamaican society is being undermined by a fault line of social injustice that contributes to the high incidence of violent crime and is embedded in even the education system, according to Dr Maurice Smith, university registrar and chief administrative officer at the University of the West Indies.

He posits that the future of Jamaica relies heavily on matters of social justice; where human rights are ensured and protected; where basic freedoms are assured every citizen; where there is access to resources – health care, housing, and food security.

Dr Smith envisions a Jamaican society where there is equity; where there is wide participation and engagement; where every citizen gets the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process; and where we appreciate value in diversity.

In this episode of Impacting Jamaica, Dr Smith explores multiple topics with host Byron Buckley; and emphasized that “social justice is at the heart of what we do and who we are as a people”.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.