Custos Commends Work of Early Childhood Commission

Custos of Hanover, Dr. the Hon. David Stair, has called on all Jamaicans to support the work of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) in building a solid educational foundation for the nation’s children.

Speaking at an awards function hosted by the ECC at the Tryall Club in the parish on Monday, August 11, Dr. Stair said that children without a solid education are most likely to struggle in school, have difficulty finding a job later in life, and may get involved in antisocial behaviours, including crime.

“Those without it are the ones most likely not to be successful as they move up the educational ladder and are likely to experience frustration in the academic arena. These are the children, who are most likely to experience teenage pregnancies, exhibit antisocial behavior and will eventually drop out of school.

“They are the ones also who are most likely to fall prey to those in our society who continue to take advantage of the most vulnerable. Due to their inability to support themselves adequately, they become easy recruits for the gangs and other unsavory organizations that exist in our country today,” he stated.

Custos Stair noted further that uneducated youth make up a significant percentage of the unemployed, as well as the prison population.

He is therefore congratulating the ECC for its work in formalizing and regularizing the early childhood education system.

“Your work is to be commended and supported. Jamaicans must now own the Commission and support its work as an educated population will lead to a successful country. The continued success of the ECC can only redound to the betterment of our country,” he stated.