Elgin Taylor, Gleaner Writer

BLAINE

Lluidas Vale, St. Catherine:

National coordinator of Hear The Children Cry, Betty-Ann Blaine, says Jamaica does not have a crime problem, but instead a family problem.

Ms. Blaine was delivering the main address at a function to honour outstanding parents at Ascot Hall in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, on Tuesday.

"When you fix the family, you fix Jamaica," she said, noting that it was a time for advocacy and a "time for every adult to stand up and decide what kind of country we want to live in."

She said dishonesty was the main stumbling block, as there are many persons who are content to settle for a compromise or a cover-up.

In a thinly-veiled warning, Ms. Blaine urged her audience to consider the case of Haiti, noting that at one time that island was regarded as the 'Jewel of the Caribbean'.

She pointed out that, when the decline started, there were people who could have stood up and done something positive, but they chose to flee the country. The result, she noted, is that today "save for the grace of God", its condition is irreparable.

She charged that there are a number of issues which mitigate against the delivery of good education. These, she said, include casual sex, teenage pregnancy, poor nutrition and the lack of a father figure in the home. She said that schools cannot adequately educate these children if they are poorly socialised. To this end she opined that the teachers are given a "basket to carry water".

Put god back in schools

Ms. Blaine advises that, as one of the measures to rescue Jamaica's youngsters, the country needs to "put God back in the centre of our schools". She made the observation of what she referred to as "the watering down" of devotional exercises in the schools, which she said was part of the problem.

Young Vanessa Lewis of May Pen Primary read a special letter to God detailing the deeds of bad parenting. This was well received by the audience. Other performances were given by students of Green Park Primary, Waterford High, Vere Technical High, VCMJ and Zion Basic schools.

Some 135 parents in Clarendon and St. Catherine were given certificates and trophies at the function.

Parents Month this year is being celebrated under the theme: 'Parents: Today You Guide ... Tomorrow They Lead'.