Issues concerning crime took center stage during Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ address at the 78th Annual Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Conference on Sunday, November 28 at the National Indoor Sports Centre. Some party members joined and presented virtually across sections of the island. Among the issues focused on was the matter of illegal possession of guns, the problem of violence, and learning loss.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness said stiffer penalties should be imposed on those found carrying, importing, and illegally providing weapons. He shared that new amendments to the Firearms Act are set to happen in 2022 to address the mass unregulated inflow of unregistered arms and weapons from post-war countries.
Holness reported that major crimes such as robberies, rape, and shootings are down but murder continues to rise.
While social intervention for youth exposed to violence is part of the government’s plan to stem violence, the Prime Minister says he has asked the Ministry of National Security to develop and make budgetary provisions for the construction of a high-security prison that will prevent inmates from using telecommunication to give criminal directives while in detention.
As it relates to the education sector, which has been greatly handicapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister zoned in on several policy positions and recommendations – showing that the government’s focus remains on recovering learning loss. While addressing how restrictions of movement and gatherings across the country due to the COVID- 19 pandemic have affected various sectors, Prime Minister Andrew Holness observed how education has suffered. As schools are set to reopen in January, Holness announced that the review of the education system has been completed.
Holness says the review commission, chaired by Orlando Patterson is conducting an additional review.
Also in collaboration with the Education Ministry, the government wants to mainstream specialist teachers in primary school and introduce assessments for children at age 4
Through these measures, Holness hopes to see recovery from learning loss
Reporter: Jhanielle Powell
