JAMAICA PREFECTS' ASSOCIATION Leadership in Focus: Student Governance and Advocacy Wins 2024/2025

Winsome M. Sherrier Witter
5 days ago
3 min read

The Serenity Resource Connector (SRC) recently hosted a dynamic live forum spotlighting the Jamaica Prefects’ Association (JPA), where student leaders explored the true meaning of youth leadership in Jamaica, the importance of student voice in education, and how policy can evolve when young people take a seat at the table.

If you missed it, here’s your chance to catch up on everything shared by these incredible changemakers.

📺 Watch the Full Replay:👉 Click here to view on YouTube

Jamaica Prefects’ Association Leadership 2024

Real Stories, Real Impact

Rheanna Robinson, National President of the JPA, opened the discussion with a message that resonated deeply — leadership is not about titles; it’s about action, inclusion, and courage.

She highlighted JPA’s 2024–2025 achievements:

Increasing visibility across traditional and non-traditional high schools
Engaging students with disabilities and differently-abled students
Hosting forums that bring student concerns directly to policymakers and school administrators

Her advice to Jamaica’s youth was straightforward and bold:

“You don’t need a badge to lead. Leadership is standing up, listening and acting.”

She also reinforced that being the voice for others who feel voiceless is not a trait. It’s a responsibility of every student leader.

Region 1 Leading with Purpose

Suraiya Matandara-Clarke, Vice President for Region 1, showcased the “Good for Life” campaign. A powerful initiative designed to build discipline, time management, and communication skills among student leaders.

Key Initiatives:

College Online Symposium featuring Ivy League students guiding others through the application and scholarship processes
A region-wide Mass Meeting uniting prefects across schools to celebrate leadership
Prefects Exchange Days allowing students to lead in different school environments, broadening their perspective

Even with limited resources, Region 1 thrived through:

Instagram reels, WhatsApp prefects groups, and voice notes for outreach
Collaboration with Youth Empowerment Officers for administrative support
Visual tools like Canva graphics and promo videos for greater reach

The Role of Student Voice in Education

Both leaders were unequivocal: student voice is essential, not optional.

Youth in Policy-Making

Rheanna offered real examples where youth directly influenced national education policy:

The School Nutrition Policy was shaped with student feedback on food preferences and school canteen access
Input on the effectiveness of suspension as a disciplinary strategy opened doors to more inclusive and reflective approaches

They urged students to:

Actively participate in forums and surveys
Share experiences truthfully and constructively
Embrace the ethical duty of representation in leadership roles

Challenges and the Need for Support

Schools Must Step Up

Too often, prefect roles are treated as ceremonial. Both speakers made it clear that:

Schools must provide structured training, not just assign titles
Leadership duties must be respected by both staff and administration
Undermining student leaders weakens morale and stifles engagement

“When schools assign roles but don’t back us up, it makes students feel like they’re just being used as tokens,” shared Rheanna.

The Role of Parents

Support at home plays a key role in sustaining youth leadership:

Provide emotional support, encouragement and time for balance
Understand the academic and leadership load students carry
Allow space for failure, experimentation and growth

“You’re still a student, even when you're a leader. You need room to grow,” noted Suraiya.

Communication is Key

Poor communication systems were flagged as a major issue limiting student leadership effectiveness. Both leaders stressed:

Timely and clear communication from school administrators empowers student leaders
If student leaders are not informed, they cannot relay accurate messages to the student body
Leadership breakdowns are often rooted in miscommunication, not incompetence

“It all breaks down when we’re not kept in the loop,” Rheanna added.

What’s Next for Jamaica’s Student Leaders?

The forum closed with a reminder that Jamaica remains a regional leader in youth empowerment through platforms like the Youth Parliament.

This generation of students isn’t waiting to lead, they’re already doing it.

Whether through national policy consultation or regional campaigns, the Jamaica Prefects’ Association Leadership 2024 continues to pave the way for a stronger, more inclusive education system.