Fitzroy Wickham | Every child must learn

Growing up, I was frequently exposed to the Ministry of Education’s motto, ‘Every Child Can Learn, Every Child Must Learn’. As a child, I understood the second phrase as an implicit threat: I must learn, or else. I now recognise that this mandate is directed not toward children themselves, but toward Jamaican adults, institutions, and systems. Nevertheless, it may as well be directed at the very children it seeks to protect, as they are often the ones who bear the immediate consequences, followed by society as a whole.

In its October 19, 2025 article, ‘SOS: Special Education’, The Gleaner reports on systemic shortcomings in Jamaica’s education system, particularly the inadequate preparation of teachers to support neurodivergent learners. Given the mandate articulated in the Ministry of Education’s motto, it is striking that such preparation is not already standard practice. More broadly, Jamaican society must recognise that accommodations for diverse learning abilities constitute basic education rather than an exceptional or “special” provision.

Some educators are already willing to incorporate inclusive strategies to sustain attention and create more personalised, memorable and multi-sensory learning experiences that improve performance. Yet, these efforts are often constrained by the expectation that teachers must personally finance the additional resources required.

While implementing such approaches entails significant costs, few national priorities yield greater long-term returns than educating young people. Applying the curb-cut effect to teaching policies, which aids students needing extra support while benefiting all, would enhance learning outcomes across the classroom.

Critics sometimes argue that more inclusive models could diminish the rigour of the education system; however, when implemented appropriately, inclusivity does not compromise competitiveness. Strategies such as the ‘Each One, Teach One’ principle can ensure that more advanced students remain engaged while supporting those who require additional assistance. We must ensure that every child learn.

Fitzroy ‘Pablo’ Wickham is Jamaica’s 2021 Rhodes Scholar. A DPhil candidate at the University of Oxford, his research explores the effect of brain pathology on human decision-making. He is an acclaimed thespian and advocate for neurological health and education in Jamaica.