Nadje Leslie, student of Wolmer's Girls' School, plays the violin during the official launch of Parent Month, which will be celebrated in November. The launch was held at the Ministry of Education offices at Heroes Circle on Wednesday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Minister of Education Andrew Holness has urged parents to prepare the financial groundwork for their children to pursue tertiary studies, thereby increasing their ability to survive in a competitive labour landscape.

Holness said that while Government was committed to footing the tuition bill for primary and secondary education, parents should be more proactive in securing resources from other institutions to support their children.

"The Government recognises its responsibility to public education ... (but) there are other services that are critical to the development of the child and parents will have to partner with other institutions to fund this development," he said

National Parent Month

Holness was speaking at the launch of National Parent Month at the Ministry of Education's Heroes Circle offices Wednesday.

Holness also appealed to parents to recognise the integral role they play in facilitating the national development of the country.

"Parenting is an important part of our strategic intervention in improving the quality of the human resources that we turn out of the education system and into our economy," he told the audience.

The education minister added that the Government would offer support in the form of the National Parenting Support Commission.

The parenting commission, which will provide parents with educational material regarding their roles, rights and responsibilities, is expected to be supported by legislation next year.

Better performances

Meanwhile, Holness said that the ministry has projected improved performances in the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exami-nation over the next five years.

Parent Month is a partnership between the education ministry and stakeholders such as the Coalition for Better Parenting, the Jamaica Teachers' Association, National Parent-Teacher Association and the Jamaica Council of Churches.

A number of activities are expected to take place during the monthlong campaign, such as workshops and discount incentives, in addition to prizes such as family-accommodation breaks.