Dear Editor,

I was a bit surprised as I listened aspects of the 12 noon newscast on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

It was disappointing to hear a representative from Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches (JUGC) pleading with the Government not to put “too much” restrictions on devotions in schools, instead of boldly advising the Government not to disturb the current arrangements whereby the schools’ leadership plans and implements same.

I got even more concerned when the representative said that the JUGC had agreed with the Government that other groups/faiths can also share during devotions. The JUGC owes the nation an urgent explanation. Is the JUGC now representing other religions outside of Christianity?

Why is the JUGC assisting the Government to fix a problem that does not exist?

I attended primary and high school during the 80s and 90s and students had an option not to participate in devotions back then. They were allowed to be in a different room or remain seated. This also extended to students saying the pledge and singing the national anthem. Students have never been forced to participate in devotions.

How will this work anyway? Most of the traditional high schools were established by Christian churches. Will they now be forced by the Ministry of Education to have devotionals showcasing other religions?

The Government has indicated that it is coming up with protocols for devotions based on an ‘incident’ at Oberlin High School not long ago. A number of children fainted or experienced some level of ‘discomfort’ during devotions. The officials’ reasoning of the matter seemingly was “children fainted during devotion and persons were speaking in ‘tongues’; therefore, devotions and speaking in tongues must be restricted”.

This reasoning is very simplistic and faulty. It would be similar to me saying, every time I wash my car, it rains; therefore, washing my car is bad. I will stop washing my car.

We are hopeful that the policymakers at the Ministry of Education employ more rigour in their thinking and policy implementation.

If members of the Government want to make major changes to an activity which has been a part of the Jamaican school culture for many decades then they should do it themselves. The church community should not allow itself to be used as cover for this unnecessary move.

Marsha Thomas

marshburns@hotmail.com