Jamaican Christian group, the Association of Christian Communicators and Media (ACCM), is warning against any ban or move to limit devotions in public schools.

The ACCM, whose stated goal is to support and advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, said it was dissuading the Ministry of Education and Youth from any contemplation in this regard, as it penned a statement responding to the announcement by Education Minister Fayval Williams that her ministry is developing procedures for devotions in schools.

The move by the education ministry comes in response to an incident last Wednesday (October 26) in which several students at Oberlin High School in rural St Andrew fainted during general devotion.

According to reports, many pupils collapsed and began “speaking in tongues”, while others apparently appeared to be overcome with emotion after a female instructor prayed for them. The incident is being investigated by the education ministry, which has since declared that it is developing procedures for devotions in schools.

In declaring its stance on the matter, the ACCM, in its statement, argued that the protocols should not minimise the function of the church.

According to the ACCM, “the Ministry of Education must take into account the fact that the public school system for the most part was established on moral and legal foundation, grounded in the Christian faith… . It is on this solid foundation that the majority of the traditional institutions of learning were built”.  

Defending devotions in schools

In defending devotions in schools, the ACCM asserted that the role of the Church as a moral and spiritual guide, Godly presence, and peacekeeper must not be dismantled, diminished, or dismissed.

“Despite our penchant for violence and disorder, Jamaicans, at the heart, are a God-fearing and peace-loving people and the Church must be at the forefront of this battle for the soul of our country,” the group said.

Continuing, the ACCM stressed that Jamaica is currently dealing with a string of unfavourable circumstances, arguing that the nation is turning into a dangerous environment for everyone because of the “extraordinarily high rates of crime and violence in the wider society”.

In concluding, the church group observed that, “Jamaica has had the advantage of watching other countries dismantle the moral and Christian floorboards and observing the negative impacts on children and families”.

The ACCM, which was formally established earlier this month, is made up of Christian professional communicators who work in public and private organisations, social media, traditional secular and religious media, public and private agencies.