Dear Editor,

I must address a critical issue that deeply impacts the future of our nation’s youth, particularly here in Jamaica: The investment in our children’s education beyond the age of 18.

Now that we are at the end of another academic school year, I think it timely to address the matter.

While I fully acknowledge the significant financial constraints faced by many Jamaican families, it is imperative that we, as parents and a society, have a frank and serious discussion about supporting our children’s educational journey beyond high school. The common expectation that a child, fresh out of secondary education, should immediately enter the labour force and contribute substantially to the household is, for the most part, unrealistic and, dare I say, cruel.

A high school diploma, while a foundational achievement, rarely equips a young person with the qualifications needed to command a decent wage in today’s competitive job market. Unless they run into some luck — a scarce commodity for most — these young individuals often find themselves trapped in low-paying, precarious jobs that offer little room for growth or the means to significantly uplift their families.

What good, truly, can come from pushing our young people into the labour force so early without serious qualifications to bring in the income that is desired or needed? This premature entry often leads to profound frustration and underemployment, directly contributing to the now alarming unattached youth pipeline. I have witnessed far too many young people, bright and ambitious, unable to pursue their dreams because the pathway to tertiary education or meaningful vocational training was simply not paved.

The consequences extend beyond economic stagnation. For many young girls, being at home with nothing constructive to do can tragically lead to early pregnancies, fundamentally altering their life trajectories and shifting their focus from personal development to immediate child-rearing. This perpetuates cycles of poverty and limits the potential of both the young mother and her child.

It is a profound responsibility of parents to seriously consider and plan for their children’s well-being beyond the age of 18. This doesn’t always mean directly funding a university degree, but it certainly means actively exploring all available avenues: scholarships, student loans, vocational training, or even a phased approach to education. It means engaging in open family discussions to chart a realistic course forward, understanding that true independence often requires further investment in skills and knowledge.

Our youth are our most valuable asset. To deny them the opportunity for further education or specialised training is to hobble their potential and, by extension, the progress of our entire nation. Let us champion a culture in which investing in our children’s future, well beyond 18, is seen not as a luxury, but as a fundamental commitment to their prosperity and the overall advancement of Jamaica.

Shanica Blair

shanicablair1@gmail.com