Amid growing concerns surrounding the protocols for devotion in schools across the island, Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams says her ministry will be providing schools with draft guidelines on devotions in schools.

“The guidelines for devotions in schools are designed for upholding civility and teaching the core universal values, which are milestones in the character building of the nation. Therefore, the aim of these guidelines is to create an environment wherein devotions contribute specifically to the holistic development of each student but there are going to be some don’ts in the guidelines. There are going to be some things that will not be permitted and so we want to put it out to as broad an audience as possible, you being our educators and others,” Williams said.

The education minister was speaking at the Jamaica Teacher’s Association 59th Annual Conference on Wednesday, August 23.

She noted that the draft guideline for devotions will be a public document and encouraged educators and school administrators to provide feedback on the guidelines.

“We will create an email address to which we can receive written comments, we will create other platforms as well because we want to hear from you, we want to ensure that we do not experience again what was experienced again at one of our school,” she said.

In October of last year, a devotional exercise conducted at the Oberlin High School in St Andrew resulted in public uproar, both among parents and other stakeholders, after several students from the institution fell to the ground while some were screaming during the exercise.

Draft National School Nutrition Policy

The minister also announced that a draft national school nutrition policy and standards will be developed for schools ahead of the new year.

“This was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to set the framework for school administrators to execute the means and measures in providing health and nutritious meals to students as well as to provide the avenue wherein students can enjoy a holistic wellness programme that involves both nutrition and physical activities,” the minister said.

She called on school administrators to give feedback on the proposed draft national school nutrition policy.