Community, Social and Personal Services Sector (2007)

The "Community, Social and Personal Services" sector cover a very broad area of the country’s social and institutional capacity. It includes areas such as public administration and security, as well as other social, recreational and community related services. The following is an overview of the sub-sectors.

Public Administration and Defence

During the year, in the area of public administration and defence, the country continued its efforts to reduce the high levels of crime and violence which continues to be a major concern. The crime rate for 2007 spiralled to 271 per 100,000 of the population, and for the year there were 1,574 murders.

In its attempt to deal with the spiraling crime rate the Ministry of National Security announced some strategic priorities for dealing with this recurring problem. These were:-

-         Targeting criminal networks and bringing more offenders to book;

-         The introduction of general policing to reduce crime, disorder, arms and vulnerability to criminals;

-         Community policing to engage with communities to increase their confidence in the JCF;

-         Building up the forces capacity;

-         Initiating social intervention programmes in order to combat the prevailing levels of crime;

-         Introducing colour digital photography in crime scene investigations;

-         Enacting of several pieces of legislation with the Legal Reform Department playing a major role.

Throughout the year emphasis was placed on what was called “hard policing” in an attempt to assert the rule of law and to counter the crime and violence in the island. The country’s specific anti-crime measures were directed towards certain target groups which have attracted much public scrutiny. Some of the groups include major gangs, major criminal networks, the youth and volatile communities. Additionally, there was also mention of the idea to place special focus on hotspots, as well as physical occupation of dangerous spaces, and increased use of cordon and search tactics, greater use of curfews for concentrated operations, and increased mobile patrols. Other initiatives which were employed in the fight against crime included the drafting and review of several pieces of legislation, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act and the Trafficking in Persons Act. Attempts were also made to reduce the road fatalities by stepping up patrols of major roadways. The conducting of workshops and public education programmes on road safety were also given consideration.

The total number of reported crimes increased by 6.6 per cent to 33,358, of which the leading parishes were St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Kingston.  Among those arrested for major crimes were youths between the ages of 16-30, which accounted for 64.7 per cent. Of the total number of major crimes committed in 2007, only 38.3 per cent was cleared up at the end of the year.

The delivery of security services during the year brought some human resource changes, namely:-

• A total of 97 persons were enlisted as regular soldiers, and 111 as reserve soldiers. On the other hand 142 soldiers were discharged on the basis of termination of engagement, and because their services were no longer required;

• The Private Security Regulation Authority registered 11 new security companies and 1,659 guards;

• New admissions in the Department of Correctional Services grew by 1,449. In addition the department also introduced a Life Skills Programme where Entrepreneurship, Family Life Education, and Interpersonal Relationship skills were taught;. 

• The Justice Training Institute continued to play its role in delivering courses of exceptional quality and during the  year was registered as a Certified Tertiary Level Institution by the University Council of Jamaica.

During the year the Government of Jamaica partnered with a number of groups to support various initiatives aimed at facilitating and ensuring access to security and justice services in Jamaica. These institutions were:-

-         The Police Public Complaints Authority;

-         Office of the Public Defender

-         Victims Support Unit  

-         Office of the Political Ombudsman

-         Violence Prevention Alliance

These organizations were instituted to improve the delivery of justice by investigating complaints made against public officials, and investigating breaches of the Political Code of Conduct.

Social and Related Community Services

The Government of Jamaica continued to improve social development and welfare programmes by enhancing and strengthening management capabilities, and undertaking improvements in service delivery. Critical stakeholders in this initiative were the vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, the young, and persons with disabilities.

Some of the initiatives undertaken during the year were:-

-         The drafting of a strategic plan under the sub-themes of Social Security, Social Welfare and Poverty Reduction to ensure an adequate modicum of social protection.

-         A further strengthening of the Social Safety Net Programme with the introduction of a welfare to work initiative.

-       Major developments in the legislative and human rights areas which saw the government ratifying UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  In addition, the Early Childhood Commission is working on the development of a national parenting policy, to further strengthen the protection of the rights of the child.

Early Childhood Development is a major concern of the Government, and initiatives are being taken which are aimed at improving the delivery of services for this age group.  Another group of persons who are slated for priority treatment are senior citizens.  Government has injected significant expenditure for programmes involving income generating projects which will make senior citizens more financially independent.  In 2007 there were 278 such projects in areas such as animal husbandry, poultry rearing, cash crop farming, and needle craft.  Persons with disabilities also benefited from governments financial assistance in the form of rehabilitation grants, scholarships and for other personal needs.

THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET

The Social Safety Net Programme is part of a poverty alleviation strategy which will support the governments efforts to transform the social safety net into a fiscally sound and efficient system of social assistance for the poor and vulnerable groups.  The programme is expected to contribute to the efficiency of the public sector through the merging and rationalization of programmes and functions within the current social safety net.  The country will benefit from this operation in at least three ways:-

-         Improved distribution of benefits to the poor;

-         Strengthened programme delivery and increased benefit levels;

-        Reduction in time costs for the poor through the merging of programmes with the same objectives and target groups.

During the year there was a continuous emphasis on providing social assistance to various groups such as the elderly, children, disabled persons and destitute persons among others.  Other programmes which fall under the auspices of public administration include the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) - (NI GOLD), the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP) and the National Health Fund (NHF).

During 2007 continued efforts were made to accelerate the Social Safety Net Programme, and work on the Steps-to-Work Programme was advanced. The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) had a total of 214,833 beneficiaries across the island.  At the end of December 2007, over $5.5 billion had been expended on the programme. It’s achievements since inception include improved payment systems and island-wide implementation of the automated cash card payment option.

The Ministry Of Labour and Social Security also administers public assistance programmes which benefit needy and elderly persons.  These benefits include:-

-         Rehabilation Grants of over $12.5 million was paid to 1,334 persons.

-         Compassionate Grants, a total of 1,313 persons were assisted.

-         Emergency Grants, a total of $2.2 million was paid out to 309 persons.

-         National Insurance Pension benefits were paid to 91,467 persons of which 64,010 were old age beneficiaries.

Poor Relief Services which are provided by the Ministry Of Local Government was accessed by 11,442 persons through its outdoor facilities; 1,538 through its indoor residential programme and 715 individuals benefitted from relief through the Indigent Housing Programme.

Of the 1,016 projects which have been approved by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund since its inception, 733 have been completed. The JSIF has been involved with improving community basic infrastructure, upgrading of community centres, roadways and water supply. The JSIF is primarily concerned with improving the lives of residents and building the capacity of community groups.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Major emphasis was placed on education and training in an attempt to improve quality access and participation at all levels.  During the year a number of initiatives were undertaken by the Ministry of Education to enhance learning.  These included:-

-         The implementation of a new policy regarding Early Childhood Education to standardize the quality of provisions in all basic schools, which would seek to maintain certain minimum operating standards.

-         The continued implementation of the recommendations of the National Education Task Force.

-         The continuation of the programme activities of the E-Learning Project at the secondary level.

-         The expansion of the Safe School Programme to address the incidence of anti-social and violent behaviour.

-         The implementation of programmes to improve the professionalism of teachers.

-         The abolition of payment of tuition fees and the implementation of programmes to consolidate cost-sharing and book rental fees.

For the financial year 2007/08 the Education Ministry was allocated approximately 12.6 per cent of the National Budget.  The recurrent expenditure for the year was J$42.21 billion, 6.7 per cent higher than in 2006/07.  Of the total allocation, 91.0 per cent was spent on salaries and other emoluments.  A further break down of expenditure showed that 32.5 percent was allocated to the primary level, 31.9 per cent to the secondary level, 18.2 per cent to tertiary and 4.3 per cent for Early Childhood Education.  Other sources of funds used in the education and training system over the year included the Jamaica Social Investment Fund which supported the Early Childhood Education with an amount of $16.9 million and the CHASE Fund which contributed $67.6 million.

Additional funds for education were obtained from National Commercial Bank (NCB), the Scotia Bank Foundation and the Digicel Foundation.  Other developments in the education sector included the damage done by Hurricane Dean to schools among other things.  A total of 500 schools were affected, with damage amounting to approximately $700.0 million.  The restoration effort was funded jointly by Government and private companies, and the parishes worst hit were Manchester and St. Elizabeth.  In its attempt to improve training across ministries, the HEART TRUST/NTA provided $17.4 billion to implement training programmes in post–secondary formal and informal courses, and in continuing education programmes. 

Much emphasis was placed on the Education Transformation Project, whose mandate was to implement the recommendations of the Education Reform.   Six areas were highlighted for special attention.  These included:-

• Modernization of Ministry Of Education,
• Curriculum Teaching and Learning,
• School Leadership and Management,
• School Facilities and Infrastructure Improvement, and
• Communication and Stake holder Relations.

HEALTH

The overall objective of the health sector is to improve the health status of the Jamaican population by tackling chronic diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality across life cycles. During 2007/08 health care services were provided in several areas such as general services, health promotion and protection, the control of chronic and life style diseases, improvement in the health condition of children, and environmental health. The emphasis which was placed on providing health care to all age groups saw the sector being allocated $20.2 billion from the National Budget.

Other organizations play a very decisive role in dealing with certain health care issues.  These include the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, the National Aids Committee and the National Council on Drug Abuse.  They undertake their work through screening and detection of new cases, conducting workshops, hosting workshops and assisting with medication and services to affected persons.  Concerns were also raised about obesity and associated lifestyle diseases which have become more prevalent among children and adolescents. 

Regarding HIV/AIDS some success was recorded in that preliminary findings from a survey which was done revealed that the practice of risky sexual behavior and the stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS at the work place has declined.  There was also a reduction in the mother to child transmission of HIV.

ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS

The country hosted the Cricket World Cup in March 2007 as its major event of the year. The economic areas that benefited were accommodation, attractions and transportation - both chartered trips and air flights. For the furtherance of economic growth and its potential to generate income, the Entertainment Industry was targeted for policy reform. The major policy adjustment was the replacing of the Entertainment Advisory Board with the Cultural Industries Council. Another area of emphasis is the training being offered in intellectual property rights to police, customs officials and prosecutors.

The sector had some adverse impact from Hurricane Dean in August 2007 which firstly reduced the number of plays and drama productions and also significantly damaged the Ward Theatre. For this sector, there were increases in the number of amusement licenses granted mainly in the parishes of St. Catherine, Trelawny and Manchester, a decline in total expenditure on projects, and an increased number of grants to sporting associations and agencies. The primary groups benefiting from grants were the Jamaica Football Federation, the Institute of Sports, the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, the Jamaica Netball Association and the Jamaica Cricket Association. These organizations were allocated 74.8 per cent of the total grants.

LABOUR FORCE

The labour force in the “Community, Social and Personal Services” group stood at 343,700 in 2007, which represents a 2.6 per cent increase over the figure in 2006. Of this total 93.4 per cent or 321,000 were employed. A breakdown of the sector by sex reveals that 37.6 per cent of the employed were males.

Source: The Planning Institute of Jamaica - Economic and Social Survey 2007, and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN)