Teachers from secondary schools in Clarendon, Jamaica are planning to facilitate an annual activity on regional integration and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).  Over five hundred students from nine secondary schools in Clarendon attended an informational session at Clarendon College on Tuesday, March 14 2017. The students and teachers who participated stated that the event was successful and they will use the information presented to assist with the topic regarding regional integration which is on the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) programme.

Students and teachers said they were much clearer about the CSME and appreciated the practical explanations given by the facilitators. They indicated that their learning of some concepts as presented in text books could benefit from having such interactive presentations on a regular basis. Some students stated they can now further appreciate that cross-border trade, the right of establishment and the movement of people is of benefit not only to Jamaica’s economic development but the region as a whole. The students also shared concerns over reports heard in the media regarding challenges to hassle-free travel within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The activity was facilitated by Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat. Specialist, Communications at the CARICOM Secretariat’s CSME Unit, Mr. Salas Hamilton, gave an overview on developments within CARICOM and CSME-related processes. He also focused on the CSME regimes and opportunities for careers, earning wages, self-employment and appreciating the Community as a single economic space.

Jamaica’s National CSME Focal Point, Mrs. Symone Betton-Nayo, gave an update on that Member State’s participation in the CSME and the benefits that could be accessed within the regional framework. The nine participating secondary schools from Clarendon in yesterday’s session were Bustamente High, Claude McKay High, Central High, Edwin Allen High, Kellits High, Knox Community College, Lennon High and May Pen High. Mrs. Betton-Nayo has indicated that the Ministry hopes to have a similar event in the coming months for the secondary schools in Eastern Jamaica.