Jamaican students dominate The UWI’s 2022 Caribbean Child Research Conference topped by Westwood High School
The University of the West Indies, December 5, 2022: Jamaican students took most of the top prizes in the Child Research Competition of the 2022 Caribbean Child Research Conference, organised by the University of the West Indies (The UWI) and sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Eastern Caribbean. The Child Research Competition component of the conference was judged in three categories – Poems, Essays, and Best Research Paper. The Westwood High School copped several of the top prizes. The school for girls, located in Stewart Town, Trelawney, Jamaica walked away with the prizes for Outstanding Caribbean Child Researcher, Best Oral Presentation and Best Research Methodology. In the Research paper category, the school also took 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th places, in the ten top research papers. Four countries participated in the Research Paper Competition – Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica.
This 17th Annual conference was held under the theme, “Leaving No Child Behind: The UN 2030 Agenda and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in a Post-COVID Environment.”
Shoii-Anne Smith of Westwood High School was awarded the 2022 Most Outstanding Caribbean Child Researcher based on her written Research Paper and Best Overall Oral Presentation. She was overjoyed when the Winner of the Competition was announced: “When I heard my name announced for the winner of the competition, I felt elated, enthusiastic, encouraged, and most importantly blessed. I knew God was and is looking out for me. I am proud of this achievement”, she said.
Ms Opal Angus, Guidance Counsellor, and Shoii-Anne’s coach, also shared in her joy: “It was a fulfilling and humbling experience to coach Shoii-Anne, who emerged as the winner, as well as the six other Jamaican finalists.”
Shoii-Anne’s research paper, “An Exploration into the Impact of Post-Covid on the Mental Health and Economic Welfare of Children in St. Ann.” investigated the effect of post-covid on the mental health and economic welfare of children in St. Ann. She interviewed 22 students and also conducted in-depth interviews with key informants.
The findings revealed that the post-COVID-19 period has had a detrimental effect on Children, and the rights of children were infringed by a lack of parental consideration of their mental health during the COVID-19 Lockdown. Ninety percent (90%) of the respondents revealed that their mental health was still being affected in the post COVID-19 period. Sixty-five percent (65%) revealed that their economic situation had worsened during and post- COVID-19, as their parents could not meet their basic standards and those of their children. Thirty-five percent (35%) of the respondents say their rights were violated during the pandemic
Based on the findings, Shoii-Anne made the following recommendations:
1. The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) needs to sensitise the public on the impacts of the post-COVID-19 period on the mental health and economic welfare of children.
2. The National Parenting Commission (NPC) should collaborate with agencies to provide mandatory counselling sessions for children and provide poor relief aid.
3. The mental health and economic welfare of teenagers should not be overlooked, and more programmes should be formulated to address these issues.
4. Social service agencies need to be more equipped to support affected teenagers.
5. Policymakers should implement rigorous laws to have the mental health of children prioritised and establish more economic (financial) assistance to children.
Another Westwood High School student, Danique Haughton, won the Best Overall Methodology Prize in the Research Paper category. These Westwood students: Danique Haughton, Rajeena Grant, Leigh-Ann Johnson, Shenijah Rodney and Roshini Keswani placed third, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth in the Best Research Paper category.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines took the first three places in the Poems category, led by Xidan Joyette of the Sugar Mill Academy; Kumar Browne, second and Tiana Peterson in third place, both from the Bequia Anglican Primary School. Jamie-Lee Marshall of El Shaddai Home Schools, Jamaica placed 4th while Justin Powell from Lacovia Primary and Infant, Jamaica placed 8.th
In the Essays category, Milanne-Rhayne Brown of Roseville Play and Learn ECI & Preparatory School, Jamaica was awarded the Best Essay “The impact of COVID-19 on Caribbean children”, with Belle Adams of the Sugar Mill Academy, St. Vincent and the Grenadines taking second place. Hailey-Monaé C. Lewis, Campion College and Reann Myrie, George Headley Primary, Jamaica placed 5th and 9th in the Essay competition. Over five hundred (500) students from eight Caribbean countries, participated in the competitions.
The conference, held on November 24th and 25th 2022 sought to (1) Review the achievements for Caribbean children, since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 (2) Assess the progress made in relation to the child-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) and (3) provide recommendations for improved adherence to Child Rights and acceleration in the fulfilment of the SDGs. It is the only conference of its kind in the Caribbean in which adults and child researchers are given equal voice.
The two-day conference was hosted by the UWI’s School for Graduate Studies and Research in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Research (SALISES). Researchers from The UWI also presented at the conference. The conference received financial and technical support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Eastern Caribbean Areas. Prizes were also provided by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Grace Kennedy Foundation, Wysinco Group Limited and Early Childhood Commission.
