PNP vows full literacy for children in first term of gov't

The People’s National Party (PNP) says it will ensure that every Jamaican child becomes literate by the end of its first term in office.

Opposition Spokesman on Finance and Member of Parliament for South East St Andrew, Julian Robinson, made the commitment at the campaign launch for Dennis Gordon in East Central St Andrew on Sunday.

“After our first term, every single Jamaican child will be literate, numerate, and can do some maths because we cannot be satisfied... where we have students in first form and 70 percent of them can't write,” he told supporters.

He was referencing a recent Gleaner article, which revealed that more than 70 per cent of the roughly 220 grade-seven students at Pembroke Hall High School in St Andrew are unable to read or do so only at a grade-three level.

Robinson said a future PNP government would direct resources to the early childhood and primary education sectors to tackle the crisis.

“That will ensure that they can perform well in high school so that they can get the skills necessary to function in a modern workforce,” he said.

He added that the PNP would introduce a programme to provide a hot meal and subsidies to assist with bus fare for children in need.

Robinson said the initiative forms part of the “people first” policy platform of the PNP, which also includes proposals to reduce electricity costs, expand access to affordable housing, and offer grants to support the creative industries.

Many of the proposals were outlined during the 2025-2026 budget debate in March.

The general election, due every five years, is expected by September.

- Sashana Small

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.