E - Query: Solutions to the issue of literacy among at-risk youth in Jamaica

Kashta Graham, Obra Project Coordinator is seeking your insight about solutions to the issue of literacy among at-risk youth. The USAID funded Obra Caribbean Partnership aims to create a sustainable partnership between the public, private and civil society organizations that promotes entrepreneurship and addresses the employability of unattached youth.

According to the 2007 Labour Force survey, there are an estimated 127, 000 unattached youth in Jamaica (HEART Trust/ NTA, 2009). The issue of unattached youths is a concern within the basic education sector, because this is generally the result of a fractured early education experience. The consequence is evident in the statistical data from the 2007 Economic and Social Survey , which show that 68 % of unemployed youth have no academic qualification and 70 – 75% of unattached youth need remedial education (cited in HEART Trust/ NTA, 2009).

Inevitably, youth who  form part of these statistics are vulnerable due to their economic dependency, and are at risk of engaging in crime and anti-social behaviour. Hence, it is important to identify good practices that have effectively improved youths’ literacy skills, and thereby give them a second chance to meet their potential and participate effectively in society.

The comment period will begin on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 and end on Wednesday, July 27. The CoP Facilitation Team will monitor the comments submitted and provide the community with a weekly summary. The Facilitation Team will compile the identified solutions and recommendations from our members into a single summary document that will be shared with Ms. Graham and her team.

How to participate:

• All CoP Members may participate in the e query and submitting a comment.
• Please note that your comments will not be delivered to the entire group until the weekly compilation of posts is sent out by the Facilitation Team.
• At the end of the query period, the Facilitation Team will develop a summary document of member recommendations to share with the community.

We look forward  to hearing from all of you as you share your experiences, observations and insights regarding this important issue.