January 18, 2019:
The Early Childhood EC Act, 2005 states that “Corporal punishment shall not be inflicted on a child in an Early Childhood Institution” (ECI) (section 16 (1)) and “mechanical or electrical devices shall not be used to restrain a child in an Early Childhood Institution” (Section 16 (2)).
The Early Childhood Act also states that “where restraint of a child is necessary, such restraint shall be administered in accordance with regulations made for that purpose” (Section 16 (3)).
The Commission has created the Standards for the Operation, Management and Administration of Early Childhood Institutions manual based on the Early Childhood Act and Regulations 2005 and other laws, to provide a user-friendly version of the legislation referring to the safety and protection of children. This manual has been issued to ECIs across Jamaica.
Executive Director of the Early Childhood Commission, Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes says “It is important to note that Standard 9 speaks explicitly to protecting and upholding the rights of children. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the Protection Rights of all children. This includes protection from abuse.”
Children are the most vulnerable in our society and must be kept safe.
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