By james art 
West Office:
Teachers and students from several high schools in Westmoreland are reaching out to the Jamaican electorate to vote directly for a president who will become head of state under a republican system of government.
This movement reflects a growing desire for change and modernization, emphasizing the importance of a locally elected head of state to represent the nation’s interests and identity.
“The time has come for Jamaica to have its own head of state, elected by the people and for the people,” said Vansa Foster, a student at Petersfield High School.
Foster, who spoke with The Gleaner On the sidelines of the Republic’s Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, an engagement session held at the Sean Lavery Hall of Faith in Savannah-la-Mar shared that she believes Jamaica should leave the British monarchy but continue to use a national voting A system to decide who becomes the new head of state.
The interactive sessions conducted by the ministry are designed to engage students in discussions on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
“We need a leader who truly represents our values and aspirations,” Foster said.
The government took the first legal step in Jamaica’s transition to becoming a republic and moved away from the British monarchy by tabling the Constitution (Amendment) (Republic) Bill in Parliament to replace King Charles with a ceremonial President of Jamaica as head of the island, as head of the island, as head of the island of the state.
Wayne Coley, a business education teacher at Frome Technical High School, welcomed the dialogue now taking place in Jamaica becoming a republic and having a president as head of state, but argued that Jamaicans should be given the privilege of voting for the person , who will occupy the Office of the Head of State.
“I would have hoped that the process of selecting the president would have been something that involved the people, not just the legislative arm or the Senate,” said Cowley, who noted that what is being proposed is a reflection of what is currently exists under The British system of appointing a Governor-General.
“If the people under this reform have a chance to vote, I think it will make a better decision,” he argued.
Sian Woodbine, a teacher at Manning’s school, said her students were delighted to see Jamaica become a republic and had learned a lot about the constitutional reforms proposed to achieve the goal.
“Let all Jamaicans … say”
However, in relation to Jamaica, given the installation of a President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, with the support of the Leader of the Opposition and a subsequent vote by the House of Representatives and the Senate, Woodbine wants greater involvement in the selection process through all registered Voters vote directly for their new head of state.
“I believe the president should be put to the vote of the wider community and allow all Jamaicans who are of voting age and are registered to vote to have a say in this election,” argued Woodbean.
In addition, students, who are among the country’s 1.8 million youth population, are concerned about the seven years allotted to the president’s term.
“I feel like the president’s term is a little too long, especially on the basis that they can be reappointed for another term.” It can be reduced to five years in line with the life of the government,” said John-Christoph Williams, head of the Manning School.
Daniella Irving, also a sixth form student at Manning’s school, said she learned a lot from the engagement session and the process of Jamaica’s transition to a republic, but the fractional part of the president’s term limits.
“I do not fully agree that the full term is seven years. I think we should keep it as democratic as possible, although there are cases where it can be changed. I definitely believe that seven years is too long to be in this position,” said Irving, who has served as a youth parliamentarian in the past.
Dylano Chin, a lower sixth form student at Petersfield High, echoed the views of his peers on the term limit of the chairmanship holder.
“I think seven years is too long. It should be reduced to five years in line with what we have now for the government,” he argued.