KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information will be rolling out its revamped National Values and Attitude campaign next year.

The campaign will promote good role models for children in school and the community, appoint values and attitude champions in schools and other organisations, involve parents, and engage the public using traditional and new media.

Speaking at a parents exposition, yesterday, in downtown Kingston, Portfolio Minister, Ruel Reid, said the ministry is keen to re-engage with families at all levels in a respectful and wholesome values and attitude campaign that will underpin parenting.

“Studies in several countries, including Jamaica, have shown that where parents take an active interest in their child’s schoolwork, the child tends to be much better motivated and do much better academically,” he said.

The minister urged parents to show interest in their children’s work and monitor them, even if their educational achievements are not at the same level as the children’s.

Making a special appeal to fathers, Reid encouraged them to stay involved in their children’s lives at all levels.

“So often when the child is entering basic school or some form of early-childhood institution, fathers get pretty involved, but as the child grows and the demand for time and attention increases, fathers seem to be less involved,” he said, adding that it is at this critical juncture that they require the most attention.

In the meantime, Senator Reid lauded the recipients who participated in and successfully completed Parenting School, noting that they are “turning their lives in a new and better direction”.

The parents who successfully completed the programme were formally recognised during the annual exposition. They are Anne Blake, Betty Chambers, Errol Hall, Shannon Henry, Salomie Peterkin-Hall, Nordia Strachan, and Coretta Wint.

The exposition was organised by the Kingston and St Andrew Family Court, under the theme ‘Become an exceptional parent… stay connected’.

The Parenting School was launched on November 29, 2013 by the Kingston and St Andrew Family Court. Parents are referred by judges hearing their cases, or by the Court’s counselling centre or partner agencies.

Curriculum modules are aimed at assisting parents, guardians and caregivers to understand and empower their children and to understand and empower themselves. The modules are delivered by duly qualified personnel from the Court’s Social Work Unit and external partners.

Topics covered include understanding the developmental phases of a child, communicating effectively, and recognising signs of sexual abuse in children, being an effective parent, stress management, and reproductive health.