Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
MORE THAN 2,000 adults and children in 10 communities in Kingston and St. Andrew are benefiting from an educational programme, designed to increase literacy levels and ultimately reduce the incidents of crime and violence in these areas.
The Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), an initiative of the Ministry of National Security, is being implemented over a five-year period and is being financed by the Inter-American Development Bank.
"It is an attempt by the Government of Jamaica to reduce crime and violence in communities by providing an education programme that will allow for greater literacy," said Wayne Manderson, the programme coordinator.
According to Mr. Manderson, the more informed or educated a person, the more likely they are to make rational decisions. The programme began in 2003 and has several components, including education. The Kingston Restoration Company (KRC) has been contracted to improve the educational performance of young people and adults.
The programmes include:
Homework assistance and GSAT classes delivered to primary school programmes
Tuition in CSEC mathematics and English delivered to youths and adults.
Remedial education and training delivered to youths and adults.
Mr. Manderson said the programme has been reaping success and the participants are excited with the end results.
The KRC reported that during the first year of the CSJP it was realised that the level of delinquency was high. KRC, therefore, proposed the implementation of a parenting component.
This component, the KRC said, would encourage the participation of students, parents and guardians and improve and maintain attendance levels.
Mr. Manderson also disclosed that many children on the programme were not able to continue their education beyond grades four and five because of a lack of birth certificates. To this end, he said the initiative makes provision for birth registrations for those children.
THE COMMUNITIES INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMME ARE:
Waterhouse Denham Town
Mountain View Trench Town
August Town Grants Pen
Rockfort Grants Pen
Cassia Park Ambrook Lane
