CORAL SPRING, Trelawny — Principal of Lowe River Primary and Infant School Ancel Palmer wants the Government to set a fixed date for the annual observance of Africa Day on Jamaica’s school calendar.

According to Palmer, the current last-minute scheduling of Africa Day makes it difficult for schools to properly prepare for the occasion.

“The Ministry of Education need to collaborate with the Ministry of Culture to have Africa Day set before the start of school year,” said Palmer.

He made the appeal from the floor of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association’s 62nd Annual General Conference at Ocean Coral Spring hotel in Trelawny last week.

Each year around the world, Africa Day is observed on May 25 to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.

The OAU, established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by 32 independent African states, was created primarily to advance African liberation, defend the sovereignty of newly independent states, and promote continental cooperation. In 2002 the OAU was replaced by the African Union.

In Jamaican schools, it is usually celebrated on the Friday closest to May 25 but there is no guarantee that date will be officially observed.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon agreed with Palmer’s stance and promised to help move the issue along.

“In terms of Africa Day, you and I are on the same page… It needs to be like Jamaica Day, just on the calendar every single year,” the minister said, while fielding questions from the floor.

“That is the position of the Ministry of Education. We will be working with the Ministry of Culture to get them to come closer to our view on that one, but that is the ministry’s position that it should be given its rightful day,” she added.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon addressing the Jamaica Teachers’ Association’s 62nd Annual General Conference at Ocean Coral Spring hotel in Trelawny, last week. (Photo: Horace Hines)

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer, Palmer expressed concern that while the calendars of local schools specify dates for events such as Jamaica Day and Heritage Day, Africa Day is often not confirmed until about a week before the observance, leaving schools with insufficient time to organise meaningful activities.

He said in some cases the uncertainty has resulted in the exclusion of individuals and activities that could have enhanced the observance, and the late notice can leave schools scrambling to find available speakers.

“If we get the date before we start the school year, so we can plan in advance, we can get speakers in advance, we can study the countries we [are] focusing on in advance, and we can plan for it properly,” Palmer said.

He argued that Africa and Jamaica’s African heritage deserve greater attention within the education system, particularly at a time when he believes young Jamaicans are increasingly being influenced by foreign cultures.

“We should not be just studying our African culture and focusing on Africa with a slight regard. It should be given pride of place,” Palmer insisted.

The educator said Jamaica’s African heritage should be reinforced among students as part of efforts to strengthen their sense of self.

“Especially now that we are blinded by the red, white and blue, we need to look back on our roots and culture and who we are,” he said.

Morris Dixon agreed that many of the challenges being experienced by Jamaica’s youth are linked to a weakened sense of identity and belonging.

“They don’t have a deep sense of who they are, and of identity, and have pride in who they are,” the education minister said.