KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a forceful directive, Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) has issued a renewed mandate to all educational institutions, asserting that denying any child entry into public schools constitutes a severe breach of both international and national law. The ministry’s latest bulletin serves as an unequivocal reminder that the fundamental right to education is non-negotiable.
The ministry explicitly stated that preventing children from participating in educational activities due to pending psycho-educational assessments is an unacceptable practice. Such exclusions are identified as direct violations of Articles 28 and 29 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and Jamaica’s own Child Care and Protection Act. School administrators are warned that these actions not only deprive children of their rights but also expose them to significant social, emotional, and environmental risks, further exacerbating learning disparities and potentially fostering behavioral issues.
Emphasizing that school leaders act as agents of the state, the bulletin places the responsibility squarely on them to ensure uninterrupted access to teaching and learning for every child, including those awaiting diagnostic services. The ministry’s core mandate is reaffirmed: to prioritize enrollment and attendance above all else.
Guidance for principals facing challenges in providing necessary support is outlined, with instructions to immediately contact their assigned education officer or regional director. Furthermore, the ministry has established a protocol to treat any reported out-of-school situation as an emergency, activating immediate measures for swift student placement. This comprehensive support system includes intervention to facilitate enrollment, sensitization training for staff, and even the provision of a Special Education Needs Assistant (SENA)—also known as a shadow or caregiver—without the prerequisite of a formal assessment report.
The ministry’s stance is clear: no parent should depart from a public school feeling disregarded, unassisted, or without hope. All institutions with available capacity are obligated to assist families seeking enrollment.