KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says Jamaica has made significant gains in relation to child development and advancement.

“We have improved students performance in national and regional examinations. We have recently added 6, 960 more school spaces for our children. We have strengthened our policy framework for children with several policy initiatives, and the introduction of beneficial programmes,” said Simpson Miller, while addressing the final day of the Caribbean Child Research conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Friday.

These include development of the National HIV Policy, adoption of the Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy and implementation of monitoring guidelines for the reduction of communicable diseases.

The prime minister further pointed out that children have a key role in policy formulation and implementation as evidenced by the establishment of children’s advisory panels, youth advocates, and appointment of child ambassadors.

She reiterated the Government’s commitment to upholding the rights of children and warned of severe punishment for those who abuse them.

“Children are our future. The kind of children we nurture today will determine the kind of society we have in the future and the kind of leaders we will have in this country,” she said.

She reminded Jamaicans that they have a responsibility for the safety and protection of children.