The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated $625,000 to the youth component of its Partnership for Improved Safety and Security in Schools program, in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI), according to Jamaica Information Services.
The two-year program, which began July 2017 and is slated to end July 2019, is valued at $3 million.
Yvonne Brown, project manager for the USAID/MOEYI Partnership for Improved Safety and Security in Schools program, said the USAID believes that early intervention is critical for a safe and secure environment.
“We recognize that if you don’t have a safe and secure environment for students and young people, you will be channeling funds to prisons, so it is better to help correct the issues and problems early,” Brown said. “Therefore, interventions are being applied through alternatives such as community youth clubs and uniformed groups.”
Meanwhile, Floyd Green, state minister in the Ministry, said young people are looking for a sense of association, belonging and worth, and the government is committed to ensuring that positive alternatives are provided, especially for at-risk youth.