The board of one of the six private children's homes selected by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) for the administering of a sex education programme is speaking out.
Chairman of Sunbeam Children's Home for Boys in the central parish of St. Catherine, Randy Finnikin, says he's alarmed at the controversy that has surrounded the "Realising Sexual and Reproductive Health Responsibly" programme.
On Tuesday, the Child Development Agency (CDA) instructed the administrators of the childrens' homes to discontinue the programme with immediate effect.
Finnikin told RJR News the material which has been deemed controversial was not taught to the children or staff.
“The content in question certainly wasn’t shared with us and we certainly appreciate that, given that we are a Christian home and I hope that was considered.”
He also said JFJ was welcomed by the Children's Home when contacted about the programme as it was deemed to be a reputable human rights organisation.
He said the staff and boys were taught about human rightsand employees were engaged between October and December last year, while the boys were engaged between January to last month.
Finnikin said te session with the boys was done for one hour on Saturdays under the supervision of a caregiver at all times.
A copy of the course outline from JFJ shows the areas covered included Introduction to Human Rights; Sexual Health and Human Rights.
The other topics were Communication and Decision making Skills and Advocacy for Rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health as well as Gender Equality.
PNPYO calls for resignation of JFJ Board
And the People’s National Party Youth Organization, PNPYO, is calling for the immediate resignation of the Board of Directors of JFJ.
PNPYO President, Alric Campbell, says it's also evident that the CDA needs to increase its vigilance in the monitoring and reporting requirements of places of safety and children's homes.
According to Campbell, a detailed report must be done which should include how corrective measures will be carried out.
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