Mandatory Under-Age Gambling Prevention Curriculum Gains Momentum in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica – In an urgent bid to protect the next generation from the dangers of gambling addiction, guidance counsellors across Jamaica are rallying behind a new initiative to introduce a dedicated subject on under-age gambling prevention into the national school curriculum. The effort is being spearheaded by Rise Life Management Services in collaboration with the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC).
The urgency of the situation is underscored by data from the Jamaica Child and Adolescent Gambling Survey 2007, conducted by Hope Enterprise Limited on behalf of Rise Life Management Services. The survey revealed a growing gambling problem among Jamaican youth aged 10 to 19. According to the study, one in five adolescents in this age group is either a problem gambler or at risk of becoming one. The survey also found that some children had spent as much as JMD $13,000 at gaming establishments and JMD $10,000 on horse racing within a six-month period.
Ian Grant, a guidance counsellor at St. Andrew Technical High School, has been a vocal advocate for this initiative after participating in a recent under-age gambling prevention seminar hosted by Rise Life and sponsored by BGLC. Grant believes that integrating this programme into the curriculum could have a transformative impact on students, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
“It is one of the greatest things we’re doing for them,” Grant said in a BGLC news release. “It’s making a difference, more so in the long run, and certainly for a more holistic approach, the BGLC should be joined by other organizations to treat childhood addiction.”
Grant emphasized the importance of making this programme a permanent part of the educational system. “It is a need in all schools and should be mandatory for all counsellors, and it should be ongoing. It can’t be a one-off thing, and it’s especially needed at the beginning of a school year,” he added.
The call for action is being echoed by other education professionals. Lorrie-Ann Vernal, head of the Guidance Counselling Unit at St. George’s College, welcomed the initiative and highlighted the need for schools to recognize and address the issue of childhood gambling.
“Given the school environment and the various aspirations, there are schools in denial just to save face, which really does not help,” Vernal said, stressing the importance of facing the problem head-on.
Recognizing the ongoing nature of the issue, Rise Life Management Services announced last year that a follow-up study is currently being conducted to update these findings and inform future programmes.
The initiative has garnered strong support from key stakeholders, including Vitus Evans, the executive director of BGLC. Evans highlighted the importance of protecting young people from the risks associated with gambling.
“Protecting our youth from the risks associated with gambling is crucial for fostering a healthier and more responsible future generation,” Evans said. “We are committed to working alongside educators and our partner Rise Life Management Services to ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions.”
Rise Life Management Services Programme Manager Richard Henry also emphasized the preventative potential of the programme, noting that it could help steer non-gambling students away from the habit.
To further strengthen the initiative, Rise Life has expressed its intention to engage teachers’ colleges in addressing the issue. By preparing future guidance counsellors to tackle gambling addiction before they enter the teaching profession, the organization aims to ensure that schools are better equipped to meet these challenges.
As the push for a mandatory under-age gambling prevention subject gains momentum, educators and policymakers are being called upon to prioritize the health and well-being of Jamaica’s youth. By addressing gambling addiction early, they hope to foster a safer and more informed generation.
