The Ministry of Education awarded 10 parents from six regions across Jamaica to weekends at Spanish hotels during a ceremony at the ministry's offices yesterday. From left: Noel Miller of McIntosh Primary School, Region 5; Paulette Anderson of Pike All-Age, Region 5; Robert Haughton of Hague Primary and Infant School, Region 3; Elsa Holder of Primary and Infant School, Region 3; Baston Samuels of Little London Primary School, Region 4; Clinton Smith of Maverley Primary and Junior High School, Region 1; Sharon Irons-Francis of Denbigh High School, Region 6; Frederrick Bryan of Vere Technical High School, Region 6; Audrey Gordon of Edith Dalton James High, Region 1; and Cassandra Bennett of Annotto Bay High, Region 2. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Minister of Education Andrew Holness says the Government is taking a tougher approach to parenting, as it's the most important aspect of a child's development.

Speaking at a national parents' award presentation by the Ministry of Education and Coalition for Better Parenting yesterday, Holness said the Government can't leave the development of good parenting practices to parents only.

Eleven parents from the six regions of Jamaica were awarded for the parenting role they displayed, which includes their contribution to the schools which their children attended.

Holness added that one of the major problems is people don't have enough information necessary to make them good parents.

The minister said the aim was to form a national parenting support commission, which would provide parents with the necessary information for parenting.

He said part of the plan is to coordinate all the partners that are directly related to parenting and get them to ensure that parents are complying with the standards set.

Also on the minister's plate in the parenting development process is a campaign to say 'two parents are better than one'.