The year has been a very challenging one for many. Job losses are on the increase.

Businesses are struggling to keep afloat.

Many issues we need to examine are related to the vast downturn in our economy.

One of the most important concerns is the financial burden associated with sending our children back to school this new term.

When one takes into consideration the change that society has undergone over the years, it becomes immediately clear that we are open to new world development and the advancement in the use of technology.

A recent survey has revealed a high level of illiteracy among our people.

Parents, this more than anything else should alert us to the importance of our children’s education. They must take priority over EVERYTHING else!

I take this opportunity to speak to every parent on this very pressing issue. Even though I am not a father, I feel compelled to stress the need for our nation’s fathers to be responsible and active in the lives of our future generation, especially our boys.

Let us thank our single mothers for the dedicated work, and commitment and sacrifice in taking care of our youths; it is indeed a great responsibility.

We must ensure that reading is an everyday activity for our children. It is of great significance and we must spend quality time to research and revise homework. Also important is the need to teach children how to conduct themselves on our streets. We must support the continuing efforts of our teachers, great and small.

Let us envision ourselves moving forward to overcome the many challenges associated with keeping the minds of our youths sharp. This is where the many service clubs come in. It must be, in the words of Rotary International, ‘Service above self’.

It is not for us to surrender to the many threats and actions of the enemy, but unleash the tool of goodness. If we continue to do good we will conquer, and conquer fear itself.

We must get ourselves involved with this current transition that will take Jamaica to the next level. Let us not segregate ourselves from the issues relating to education. The social phenomena of crime is of perennial interest to every citizen. Unemployment has affected our country immensely, and if we don’t put ourselves in the right frame of mind, our country will never achieve the required stability for growth and development.

We understand the hardship, we see the struggles, let us continue to move from strength to strength to an administration that will bring hope.

Otis N Wright is the People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St James’ MoBay South Division.