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For many years Jamaica has been battling with sex education and the extent to which this should be taught within our educational institutions. Over the past five years there have been many debates in parliament to offer access to condoms for secondary schools students/high school students however these proposal have been dismissed by governmental officials who are of the concern that such actions will only promote early sexual initiation as well as promiscuity. Coupled with this was the nationwide opposition by churches and Parents Island wide. Jamaica being the only country to have the largest amount of churches per square miles is primarily built on Christian values and most if not all schools in Jamaica was built by a church, funded by a church or linked to a church.
The concern grew deeper as the years progressed and many battled with discovering plausible solutions to curb the growing rate of teenage pregnancy, early sexual encounters, high incidences of hiv/aids among teens that has plagued the country.
In 2008 the Scotia bank of Jamaica decided that little was being done by the public sector to address the issue and as such establish the “Scotia bank speak up, speak out debate competition”. The competition targets primary school students between the ages of ten years old to twelve years old, a crucial target age group in combating the epidemic.
The competition is geared at further heighten the public awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The competition is helping students to develop greater sensitivity and empathy for persons affected by the disease.
By targeting primary school children, Scotia bank is able to reach a different audience, which was never previously targeted. It has fostered a more effective learning experience, by presenting the topic of HIV and AIDS awareness in a novel, engaging and interactive way, which creates interest and foster discussion," Mrs. Billings-Frith- relief manager Mandeville branch.
More than 139 primary schools across the island are participating in the debate competition, which is being held for the third year. It is in keeping with the Ministry of Education's policy that every child should be educated on HIV/AIDS.
The competition is raising awareness levels among children and changing attitudes towards persons living with the disease, by fighting stigma and discrimination while promoting healthy lifestyles. The programme has reached parents of the students in the competition, and has recognize that parents also need to be better prepared and coached about how to talk with their children about this issue.
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