Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
ROBERTSON
JAMES ROBERTSON, Opposition spokesman on Youth, Community Development and Sports, has called for the expansion of the National Youth Service (NYS).
He said this was necessary to capture more youths.
Mr. Robertson, who is West St. Thomas Member of Parliament, pointed to a 2001 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study which he said confirmed that the NYS was "having a positive impact on youth participants."
He was making his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives recently.
Said Robertson: "It's time to stop tinkering with small numbers. This is a programme that works and we need it to work for many more young people."
COMPULSORY SERVICE
He re-emphasised calls he made last year for a compulsory islandwide youth service for persons over 18 years who were not actively engaged in work or further study.
"As a country, we must make the tough decisions and make serving a minimum of six months compulsory for all Jamaican youths," Mr. Robertson told the House. "The system should however facilitate part and full-time service over a one-year period."
He added that inter-personal and social skills, having good hygiene, grooming, physical education, having good attitudes and values are among the areas that could be addressed in the compulsory programme.
RESTRUCTURING YOUTH CLUBS
To this end, the West St. Thomas MP suggested that Government approach international funding agencies, the private sector and the Jamaican Diaspora to get needed funds to double the number of NYS participants.
Meanwhile, Mr. Robertson also called on the ruling administration to account for a US$15 million (IDB) loan to restructure the youth club movement in Jamaica.
"My investigations have led me to understand that the loan agreement has been signed, but to date nothing has been heard of this programme," he said.
Noting that the number of youth clubs have shrunk by more than 60 per cent in the last five years, Mr. Robertson said that youth clubs have produced notable leaders, and that it was a "shame and disgrace that such an important aspect of our country's development is dying with no attempt to extend life support."
