By Marlene Freeman

The opposition People’s National Party has claimed that there has been a pattern of non-performance in education over the last 9 years, under the Jamaica Labour Party government. 

Making his claim, Opposition Spokesperson on Education, Damian Crawford pointed to a fall in literacy rates.

He also cited the 2024 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) and Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) results, which indicated that several students under-performed.  

Mr. Crawford argued, that Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness lacks understanding of the issues affecting student performance. 

He further cited the correlation between performance and nutrition, arguing that the $1 billion breakfast programme is inadequate.

Under the programme, meals are provided by Nutrition Products Limited for some 70,000 students.