Education Minister Andrew Holness.

The National Parenting Policy, under which parents will be held accountable for their children, should be ready by the end of this year, says Education Minister Andrew Holness. However, parents need not fear that this is a whip in the making that will be cracked over their backs the moment their children are caught in any anti-social behaviours.

The minister said, "Accountability doesn't mean punishment in the first instance." He admitted that the word accountability could lead to misconceptions but said the word "essentially means that the person who has the responsibility acknowledges it as number one".

Still, Holness said that the job of the teacher is made far more difficult when parenting fails, and it is difficult for the teacher to deal with the ills that are brought in the classroom as a result of parenting failure in the home.

"The level of violence, the level of anti-social behaviour that many of our schools are being crippled with now are far beyond the capacity of our teachers in the school system," he added.

Not business as usual

Holness who was speaking Friday at the launch of Parent Month, argued that it cannot be business as usual when it comes to delinquency, and the National Parenting Policy is to address how parents are to be held responsible.

The essence of the policy, he said, can be captured in this paragraph: "Every parent in Jamaica - by birth, adoption or guardianship - recognises and accepts their duty to ensure that the rights of the child are always upheld, the best interest of the child is always promoted and the child is always loved and provided with opportunities and resources, within a safe, caring and nurturing environment, to achieve his/her full potential and ultimate fulfillment."

He said this is not unreasonable or unachievable, and a move towards positive parenting was being developed, "In the first instance by supporting the parents in areas where they are in crisis".

Additionally, he noted that the Government needs to raise national awareness regarding the importance of parenting, put the support mechanisms in place and more resources in the system. He commended some private sector entities for showing support for Parent Month, and urged others to join in.

kimesha.walters@gleanerjm.com

POSITIVE Parenting