School Administrators Urged to Make Graduation Ceremonies Accessible to All Students

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, is urging school administrators to make graduation ceremonies accessible to all students.

Noting that they are pivotal events that mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for the youngsters and their families, among others, she said these ceremonies hold great sentimental value to Jamaicans and it is important that they are memorable and inclusive for all who participate.

“In light of this, I am calling on all school Boards and administrators to be mindful of the cost that they ask parents to bear in order for their children to participate in graduation ceremonies. I know many schools use external vendors to provide the gowns and caps, the photos and other services. We ask that our principals negotiate as hard as they can with vendors, and to the vendors we say, consider the pockets of the parents,” Mrs. Williams said.

“While this is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity for the students – they will never graduate primary school or high school again – we do not want it to be a financial burden on families who may have more than one child graduating,” she added.

Consequently, the Minister encouraged vendors, whom she described as stakeholders in education, to assist families by offering affordable packages to schools.

She was addressing Wednesday’s (May 29) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

Mrs. Williams said it is the Ministry’s goal for all students to experience graduation, so that their journey and accomplishments can be celebrated.

“We don’t want graduations to be used to exclude. It is crucial that we are mindful of the financial constraints faced by many of our families and the difficulties and embarrassment it poses when students are not included in graduations,” the Education Minister maintained.

Mrs. Williams charged school administrators to work towards creating memorable, inclusive and meaningful ceremonies that honour students’ achievements without placing undue financial strain on families.