Crawford threatens court action over early childhood education
Published:Wednesday | December 31, 2025 | 12:10 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
Opposition spokesman on education, Damion Crawford, says he is prepared to take the Government to court to defend what he describes as the constitutional right to early childhood education, citing Section 13(k) of the Jamaican Constitution, which declares such education a right of the nation’s children.
Crawford noted that, while serving as an opposition senator in 2024, he had signalled his intention to seek a constitutional ruling on the Government’s contribution to early childhood education. He has now vowed to revisit that option if the administration continues to neglect the sector, particularly basic schools.
Speaking to The Gleaner, Crawford argued that early childhood education has not been treated as a priority, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. What is more, he said, no meaningful focus has been placed on basic schools damaged by the hurricane, stressing that the Government has a duty to provide early childhood education.
“Who doesn’t consider early childhood education as priority is a failed and flawed government,” Crawford said.
According to him, basic schools, which are predominantly privately owned, have been excluded from post-hurricane recovery discussions. “Basic schools are predominantly private owned and there has been no communication or conversation about an allocation for basic schools that were extremely damaged,” Crawford said.
He added that these institutions have not received funding and many may not be able to reintegrate into the education system, leaving numerous students unable to return. “These students are dependent on the proximity of the basic school to communities, because the parents must travel with the child to and from school, so they need to be re-established in some way or form to the communities, something which the Government has not considered,” he said.
FALLOUT AFFECTING HOUSEHOLDS
Crawford warned that the fallout goes beyond education and is already affecting household economics. Parents’ livelihoods, he noted, are being disrupted, as many are forced to remain at home to care for their children. He also pointed to the long-term consequences of disrupted early learning.
“There have been conversations about the impact of the education failure because of the lack of early childhood exposure,” he said, adding, “Now, what happens because these schools are privately owned? We have not heard any commitment from the Government about rebuilding these schools.”
Crawford further revealed that he had questioned the minister of education during a recent sitting of Parliament about budgetary allocations for early childhood education, and was told that none had been allotted. He said Jamaica’s provision for pre-primary education remains limited.
“The right for pre-primary education in Jamaica has only been facilitated by about 35 schools, and this is woefully inadequate,” Crawford said.
He is now calling on the Government to revisit the supplementary budget for education and make the necessary amendments to ensure early childhood education, particularly basic schools, receives adequate support.