In January, in this space, we supported an assertion by Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon that Jamaicans are all to be blamed for the dismal results in the 2024 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)-administered tests.

We said then that Government, private sector, parents, community, etc, all have to play their part.

Regarding the wider community, we argued that people need to “stop being passive observers, advocate for better, and hold leaders accountable…” and that “It takes a village to raise a child, and our villages can’t be asleep…”

In terms of holding Government accountable, people must apply pressure to ensure that leaders do not merely serve their own short-term political ends, but act in the national interest.

Had Jamaicans been applying pressure as they should, sufficient classroom spaces would have been built long ago, effectively ending need for the much-criticised, long outdated two-shift system.

Instead, there are still close to 30 schools on shift.

Beyond applying pressure, responsible citizens at the community level and in various interest groups should be proactively working to advance education initiatives.

Hence our admiration for the the National Association of Domino Bodies (NADB), which has been actively engaging Jamaicans of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds to play dominoes, not just for fun but to boost learning capacity and well-being.

Anyone who has ever played or even closely watched a domino contest can testify that, like other board games, it encourages quick and rational thinking, boosts memory, and strengthens the ability to stay focused.

Thus the claim by acting president of the NADB, Mr Humbert Davis, that “[D]ominoes is not just a game — it’s a gateway to learning…”

He also describes it as “an enhancement therapy for health. We’re using it to build the nation, one person at a time.”

Of course, much of the above can be said of most, if not all healthy competition and recreation.

But, in Jamaica, for as long as any of us can remember, dominoes has been the board game of the people which makes its utilisation for the promotion of learning particularly sensible.

Last July this newspaper highlighted the case of a former Mona High School student Mr Tahje Wallen, who “stumbled upon” an NADB summer camp and never looked back.

According to Mr Wallen, as a consequence of that summer playing dominoes in a structured fashion, he began to “see the world in a new light, as a place where every move had consequences and every decision mattered”.

It enabled him to overcome early concentration problems in high school and to move on to excel at university.

We note that the NADB is not resting on its laurels but, instead, is pressing ahead with its promotion of dominoes in schools and elsewhere.

Our reporter tells us that the NADB recently sponsored a School and Community Domino Programme at Haile Selassie High School, bringing together students, teachers, and residents from surrounding communities.

A proud Mr Davis tells us that “…dominoes is a powerful tool for cognitive development and social connection, and we’re thrilled to see its impact on the lives of Jamaicans. It’s amazing to see how the game can bring people together, stimulate their minds, and provide a sense of community and belonging”.

Keep going, we say.