Placing Children at the Heart of Jamaica’s Future
An Urgent Call to Action to Political Parties
KINGSTON, 28th of August 2025: As Jamaica approaches its general elections, the choices made today will shape and strengthen the society that is evolving into one of hope, opportunity, and shared progress. At UNICEF, we believe there is one clear priority that must guide all political discussions: children. Children deserve protection, opportunity, and a fair start in life. Yet too many continue to face violence, poor learning outcomes, malnutrition, and barriers to opportunities.
Ending violence against children
Violence is a harsh reality for far too many Jamaican children. The 2022 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) found that four out of five children aged 1-14 experienced some form of violent discipline in the past [reporting] month. Physical punishment and psychological aggression are all too common, despite only 16% of parents believing such practices are necessary. This gap shows a readiness for change.
The consequences of violence are far-reaching. Evidence from the 2023 Jamaica Violence Against Children Survey shows that children exposed to physical or emotional abuse are significantly more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and to engage in violent behavior as adults. Violence against children is not just a personal tragedy, it is a societal one, fueling cycles of crime, poor health, and lost potential.
While Jamaica has committed to protecting children from “all forms of physical or mental violence” as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), corporal punishment remains legal at home and in some schools. Legislative reform to prohibit violence in all settings, paired with public education campaigns about positive parenting along with training for caregivers and professionals, is a moral imperative and a strategic investment in the safety and development of children and their future in Jamaica.
Investing in learning and teachers
Jamaica has achieved near-universal access to early childhood and primary education, yet learning gaps remain troubling. A 2021 Public Expenditure Review on Education conducted by UNICEF and the World Bank showed that while Jamaican children complete 11.7 years of schooling, they only gain 7.2 years’ worth of learning. These gaps are deepest for children from low-income households, who struggle disproportionately with foundational reading and numeracy skills.
The 2025 CSEC results underscore the urgency. Only 19.2% of students passed Math, English, and three other subjects, an improvement over 2024, which was 18%, but with a gap of 80.8% that remains concerning.
Global research shows that early childhood education (ECE) is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost lifelong learning, particularly for disadvantaged children. Yet, according to the 2021 Public Expenditure Review, Jamaica spends just 3% of its education budget on ECE, far below regional and international benchmarks. At the same time, qualified, motivated, and well-supported teachers remain the cornerstone of student success. Raising training standards, providing continuous professional development, improving working conditions, and modernizing the curriculum are investments that will yield enormous returns for society.
Supporting ‘school to work’ transition for youth
The challenge grows as children become adolescents. By ages 15-16, approximately 21% of youth are out of school, and among young adults aged 15-24, about 27.77% are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), according to the MICS 2022 survey report. Expanding access to technical and vocational education, aligning programs with labor market needs, and increasing employer participation in apprenticeships are critical. Special attention must be given to marginalized groups, including young women, single mothers, and persons with disabilities, to ensure equitable access to opportunity.
Promoting healthy nutrition
Nutrition shapes every child’s future. Yet inadequate breastfeeding, early introduction of unhealthy foods, and poor access to nutritious options are driving alarming rates of overweight and obesity in Jamaican children. Among adolescents, obesity has doubled in boys over the past decade, while children under five face stunting, wasting, and overweight. These are all forms of malnutrition with long-term consequences for physical and cognitive development. The most recent Global School Based Student Health Survey reported that two out of 10 adolescents aged 13-17 were overweight and one out of 10 was obese.
Raising exclusive breastfeeding rates and regulating the food environment are proven strategies. The octagonal front-of-package warning label, already tested in Jamaica and proven effective in countries that have adopted it, is a valuable tool to assist families in making healthier choices and should be enforced in Jamaica. Strengthening maternity support, scaling up breastfeeding programs, and enforcing the marketing code for breast-milk substitutes will ensure children receive the nourishment they need to thrive.
Building climate resilience
Jamaica’s children are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. According to the Planning Institute of Jamaica, approximately 70% of children live in coastal areas, and natural hazards such as hurricanes threaten health, education, and social services. Hurricane Beryl in 2024 damaged nearly a quarter of health facilities and disrupted more than 350 schools. Access to safe water remains inconsistent, with only 67% of households able to obtain water when needed.
Investing in climate-resilient schools, healthcare facilities, and water systems protects children, strengthens communities, and ensures continuity of essential services. Youth empowerment is key: when children and adolescents are engaged in climate action, they contribute innovative solutions and hold decision-makers accountable, building resilience for themselves and future generations.
Expanding social protection for children with disabilities
Children with disabilities face compounded challenges. Many live in poverty and lack access to education, social protection, and specialized services. Families often spend up to half of their income on care, therapy, and nutrition. Expanding social protection coverage, improving targeting through integrated data systems, and ensuring access to inclusive education are essential steps toward fulfilling the rights of these children under the Conventions on the Rights of the Child and Persons with Disabilities.
A call to action
Protecting children from violence, investing in quality education, promoting nutrition, preparing youth for meaningful work, building climate resilience, and supporting children with disabilities are not optional. They are national imperatives. Political leaders have the opportunity to place children at the centre of their agendas and deliver measurable change that will shape Jamaica for generations.
Voters, parents, and citizens, UNICEF urges you to prioritize the well-being, development, and rights of every child when making decisions. When Jamaica invests in children, the country invests in a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Jamaica. The time to act for every child is now.
About UNICEF Jamaica
We support government and non-governmental partners to promote and fulfil the rights of children, especially the most disadvantaged. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For information about UNICEF and its work, visit www.unicef.org/jamaica.
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For more information, please contact:
Donna-Marie Rowe, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Jamaica.
Email: [email protected]; Mobile: 876-460-4725
