JAMAICA | Opposition PNP Strategy to Rescue Jamaica from Economic Stagnation

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mark 18, 2025 In a blistering critique of the current administration's economic policies, Opposition Leader Mark Golding on Tuesday  laid out his vision to rescue Jamaica from what he described as a "cycle of poverty and underdevelopment," promising to revitalize the nation through a comprehensive "Four-E's Strategy" underpinned by ethics.

"We took this country from the brink of economic disaster in 2012 and set it on a firm path to sustained recovery. We will do it again with the growth and development agenda that it needs," Golding declared during his budget presentation, positioning his party as the architects of Jamaica's economic salvation.

The Opposition Leader's plan centers around four key pillars: Efficiency, Education, Energy, and Emerging Industries, with a fifth element—Ethics—serving as the foundation for national development. Golding painted a stark picture of a country suffering from "moral decay," evidenced by widespread disrespect, callousness, and corruption that has "taken over the affairs of the nation."

Unlike previous attempts at moral reform that fell victim to partisan politics—including former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's Values and Attitudes program—Golding envisions a non-political movement led by spiritual and civic leaders with the "reputation, credibility, commitment and desire" to champion ethical change. "Collectively, we must raise the bar as champions of change, and restore the social fabric of the country," he insisted.

Turning to government inefficiency, Golding lambasted Jamaica's bureaucracy as operating under "procedures and rules that are no longer fit for purpose," creating unnecessary delays and costs that hamper business growth. In a bold pledge, he promised to personally chair a Task Force to "tackle the inefficiencies head-on," eliminating outdated regulations that impede productivity and economic development.

Education emerged as the centerpiece of Golding's strategy, with the Opposition Leader highlighting systemic failures in the current system. "Over 30% of children entering secondary school from primary school are unable to read and write or do basic arithmetic," he noted, with less than 20% of students leaving secondary education with the minimum acceptable qualifications.

To address these shortcomings, Golding announced the E.A.S.E. program (Ensuring Adequate Sustenance for Education), promising daily lunch meals for all primary and secondary school children in need, with plans to extend this to breakfast. "We are championing change by cushioning the cost of living crisis," he said.

For rural students, Golding introduced the Rural Initiative for Delivering Education (RIDE), a transportation subsidy aimed at reducing the financial burden on families outside areas served by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company. The program would expand from the current 7,500 students under PATH to 50,000 over three years, implemented through technology-driven, cash-free systems.

In a move to strengthen Jamaica's educational foundation, Golding committed to deepening civics education and incorporating the teachings of Marcus Garvey into the national curriculum "to encourage self-belief, personal responsibility and self-actualization in the nation's youth."

For tertiary education, the Opposition Leader promised one full university scholarship per family to provide "an avenue of social mobility" and boost participation in higher education. Student loan reforms would cap payments at a manageable percentage of income, suspend payments during unemployment without penalties, and offer amnesty to defaulters.

Acknowledging the exodus of teachers from Jamaica, Golding outlined incentives including student debt reductions, motor vehicle concessions, enhanced access to housing loans, tax exemptions on electronic devices, and free internet service.

To tackle Jamaica's productivity crisis—where approximately 60% of workers lack formal certification—Golding pledged to establish vocational labs in all high schools and revitalize the HEART program to meet "the evolving needs of the 21st century economy." Additionally, a dollar-for-dollar matching program would incentivize businesses to invest in employee training.

On energy policy, Golding criticized the current administration's failure to control electricity costs, noting prices have nearly doubled from USD 26 cents per kilowatt hour in 2016 to over USD 40 cents today. With Jamaica's all-island electricity license expiring in 2027, he emphasized the importance of diligent negotiations to ensure a more responsive approach to customers' needs and greater climate resilience.

The Opposition Leader condemned the government's lackadaisical approach to renewable energy, claiming only one Request For Proposal had been issued in nine years. "We will prioritise achieving the renewable energy target of 33% by 2030," he promised, with plans to issue utility-scale RFPs every 2-3 years.

Addressing electricity theft, Golding reiterated his call for a "massive drive" to help informal consumers become legal customers, reducing both legal risks to families and financial losses to the system.

Through this comprehensive strategy, Golding positioned himself as the champion of change Jamaica desperately needs—a leader ready to tackle inefficiency, strengthen education, reform energy policy, and restore ethical governance to propel the nation forward.

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