Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Marlon Morgan, has urged graduating high-school students to explore options for technical and vocational training as they plan for the next step of their educational journey.

“As you get into your summer holidays, I want you… to think carefully about the decisions you are about to make in relation to your next endeavour. At the available HEART/NSTA Trust, for example, we have a free programme of study up to the degree level, insofar as level-five certification,” Senator Morgan said.

He was bringing greetings on behalf of the Ministry, at the school-leaving ceremony for Gaynstead High School, held at the Shortwood Teachers’ College in Kingston, on Wednesday (July 1).

Senator Morgan pointed out that there are some households that may not be able to afford fees for universities and other places of higher learning.

He emphasised that skills training and certification provide another option for those students to continue their development and later have prospects in the job market.

Senator Morgan pointed out that there are free tertiary-level training opportunities available through the HEART/NSTA Trust.

“Go and register at the HEART/NSTA Trust so that you can access at no cost to you, basically, a programme of training that could take you up to level five, free of cost, which is the same as a first degree… . That has been made available to you through your Government and through the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information,” he detailed.

Meanwhile, noting recent advances and breakthroughs in technology that have narrowed disparities between nations, Mr. Morgan urged the graduates to use the opportunities and the possibilities that are within their reach to make the best of themselves.

“I’m talking about such things as artificial intelligence (AI). I’m talking about new media, avenues that you can use to learn, acquire knowledge, acquire skills, and go on to lead successful lives,” he urged.

The Senator emphasised that the students are now living in a world where based on information access and advances in technology, they can compete with their peers globally.

He added that they can “blaze a trail and lead successful lives, whether in digital animation, graphics, robotics, content creation, creative industries…you name it, the possibilities are endless”.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information will be investing $15 million to establish a smart greenhouse laboratory at Thompson Town High School in Clarendon during the 2027/28 academic year.

This was announced by Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kasan Troupe, during her address at the institution’s school-leaving ceremony on Tuesday (June 30).

For the upcoming academic year, Dr. Troupe announced that the school will receive a special grant of $6 million, along with a $1.5-million increase in its operational grant and an additional $1 million to support its industrial lab.

The Permanent Secretary also pledged to donate a 60-inch television to the institution from her personal funds.

“I have seen your Principal’s passion, and as the Permanent Secretary, it is my responsibility to support that journey… because the students here, they deserve it. They have made the sacrifice.

They have worked hard, and today we celebrate them in this transitioning exercise.” she affirmed.

Drawing on her own life and accomplishments, Dr. Troupe encouraged the graduates to work diligently in pursuit of success, reminding them that their starting point does not determine their destination.

The Permanent Secretary shared that, as a young student, she did not pass the common entrance high-school placement examination.

“I did not see my name in the paper… . I had that experience. But I am here to testify that it’s not about where you have started; it’s where you are going, and it’s also about what you do with the experience that you have got. You blossom, you bloom where you are planted,” Dr. Troupe said.

She noted that she attended Trench Town Comprehensive High School in Kingston, which, like Thompson Town High, was not regarded as one of the island’s top schools.

“But that didn’t stop my journey of excellence, and ought not to stop the journey for your boys and your girls,” Dr. Troupe told parents.

She noted that after leaving Trench Town High, she went on to attend The Mico University College and later the University of the West Indies, graduating at the top of her class with First Class Honours at each institution.

Today, I am the Permanent Secretary in the largest ministry in the government. This is the highest job in the public service in my country. So for that little girl from a school like Thompson Town… it can be done,” Dr. Troupe affirmed.

She urged the graduates to reject excuses and adopt a mindset of intentional excellence, emphasising that hard work and success are inseparably linked.

“Excellence and hard work are very good friends; you will not see one without the other. So if you want that intentional success, you must embrace hard work,” the Permanent Secretary maintained.

She emphasised that the Government has established mechanisms such as the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) to support students in achieving academic excellence.

“[The Ministry also] provides scholarships for young people every single year. All they have to do is to go on the website and apply. There are opportunities,” Dr. Troupe added.

She has been teaching for more than 20 years but was thrust into the spotlight recently with the release of this year’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) results.

Dian Dennis is the teacher of the top primary-school PEP performer, Jasonnia Beadle, from Park Mountain Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth.

Mrs. Dennis has been teaching Jasonnia since last September when she entered grade six and is proud of helping to guide her to success.

She describes the top performer as quiet and reserved, who has to be called on to participate or respond in class but who is always correct when she does.

“She’s always on point; even if she doesn’t answer, everything is on point but if she gets it wrong, she always comes to ask, what was wrong with it. She is okay with explanations and her homework assignments are on point and perfect. She has never been late with her homework,” a proud Mrs. Dennis said.

The teacher spoke with JIS News when Education Skills, Youth and Information Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, visited the institution on June 25, to offer personal congratulations to the celebrated student.

The more than 400 students enrolled at the school were still on a high at the achievement.

Mrs. Dennis said that Jasonnia has an almost perfect attendance record but in the event that she is absent, she will call to request work that she has missed. She takes responsibility for her school work and is always reading or studying with other students. She is also consistent in her work.

“She has been performing at the top level from grade four and makes time for the Brownies club, is an avid reader and plays online games. She is not much of a playing child but she reads a lot. Because she is so focused, I expect her to keep on excelling,” Mrs. Dennis said.

The veteran teacher told JIS News that her star pupil is “intrinsically driven”.

“We have motivational sessions every morning and they repeat their affirmations. Jasonna is motivated and you won’t come into class to find her chatting or playing,” she pointed out.
Jasonnia will join her cousins at Hampton School for Girls come September, and Mrs. Dennis is expecting her to continue to excel.

With Josannia’s success, Mrs. Dennis, who has been at Park Mountain since 2009, said the expectation is for even greater accomplishments next year, telling JIS News that she is up to the task.

While noting the challenges, she said she is in the profession for the long haul and has no plans to leave the country or her Jamaican students.

Mrs. Dennis shared that everything she does is in the best interests of her students, noting that she is motivated when they do well.

“It’s not the salary that keeps me; it’s moments like these. It doesn’t matter the set of students I get each year, by the end of the year, I am extremely proud of them,” she told JIS News.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Crawford, says graduating from high school is a defining milestone that propels students towards a lifetime of excellence.

Delivering the keynote address at the Hampton School Valedictory Service Class of 2026 in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, on June 21, Ms. Crawford told the graduates that not only should they be proud but should also consider themselves a very important part of Jamaica’s ever-evolving educational landscape.

“As you take this important step on your life’s journey, please note that courage and courtesy are not luxuries; they are the foundations on which we build a life of learning, leadership, and service,” the State Minister said.

“Know who you are, pursue excellence with purpose, and let discipline and character be your compass as you navigate the opportunities ahead,” the State Minister continued.

Ms. Crawford emphasised that education is an all-important catalyst for social advancement, adding that the Hampton School with its rich tradition of excellence shows what can be achieved when communities invest in “our young women”.

“As Jamaica moves through converging challenges, our graduates must carry courage and courtesy into every classroom, workplace, and community. We must empower every student to reach higher levels, knowing that integrity and perseverance will sustain success beyond the classroom,” she added.

As Hampton marks 168 years of forging leaders, State Minister Crawford spoke of resilience, self-knowledge, and the essential role of education as a catalyst for social advancement and praised Hampton School’s enduring reputation for excellence and the collaborative effort of parents, teachers, and alumni in sustaining high standards across generations.

She urged graduates to stay the course and to take the values that have been instilled in them to higher education and the job market, emphasising that character and discipline are as crucial as academic achievement.

Reflecting on her own youth, Ms. Crawford described formative experiences that reinforced the connection between moral development, access to education, and public service.

She argued that education is inseparable from leadership and community service, a message she said resonates with Hampton’s mission to cultivate not only scholars but principled young women prepared to contribute to Jamaica’s future.

Ms. Crawford urged graduates, families, and educators to maintain environments that nurture excellence and courtesy.

Eight schools across Kingston and St. Andrew will be outfitted with hydration stations as part of the Hydrate Caribbean Jamaica: Healthy Students, Healthy Futures initiative.

The project aims to increase students’ water consumption, reduce dependence on sugary beverages, and foster healthier lifestyle choices while promoting sustainable habits through the use of reusable water bottles.

Beneficiary schools include Tarrant High, Clan Carthy High, Kingston Technical High, Pembroke Hall High, Edith Dalton James High, Oberlin High, Papine High, and Mavis Bank High.

The National Education Trust (NET) is partnering with Newport Water Limited, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Diabetes Association of Jamaica to facilitate implementation of the project, which is scheduled to begin in July.

Addressing Thursday’s (June 25) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at Clan Carthy High School in Kingston, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Curriculum and Support Services in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Winnie Berry, noted that discussions about education often focus on curriculum reform, teaching quality, student performance, and assessment outcomes.

“These are important areas of focus. However, learning does not take place in isolation from the broader conditions that affect our students on a daily basis. A student’s ability to participate, concentrate and engage meaningfully in the classroom is influenced by a wide range of factors, including health and well-being,” she said.

Dr. Berry emphasised that ongoing research consistently indicates how hydration supports concentration, attention, and overall cognitive functioning.

She further explained that when students are unable to stay adequately hydrated throughout the school day, their ability to fully participate in learning activities may be compromised.

“The initiative is further strengthened by an educational component that encourages healthy lifestyle practices and increased awareness of personal health and wellness. While the act of accessing clean drinking water may appear simple, the cumulative effect of creating healthier school environments should not be underestimated,” Dr. Berry said.

She urged the students at the beneficiary schools to take full advantage of the hydration facilities provided.

“Pay close attention to the health messages that accompany this initiative. Developing positive habits at an early stage can have lasting benefits throughout your educational journey and beyond,” Dr. Berry underscored.

Newport Water Limited Project Lead, Sheridan Greaves, explained that the initiative originated in Barbados.

“Since 2020, this programme has accumulated 5.1 million bottle fills in Barbados. These are not bottles that had to be recycled and collected. These were bottles… that didn’t end up in our landfills… didn’t end up in our oceans and gullies,” he explained.

Mr. Greaves said he is anticipating the positive impact the initiative will have across the eight beneficiary schools and throughout Jamaica, as the entity pursues corporate sponsorship to support its expansion.

“I would like to thank the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their significant contribution to Hydrate Caribbean. They took the extra step to provide funding, not only for the stations themselves, but for stainless steel reusable water bottles for each and every single student at these eight schools, as well as 13 schools back home in Barbados,” Mr. Greaves disclosed.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice Principal at Clan Carthy High School, Laurel James, said the institution is deeply grateful to be selected as one of the pilot sites for the project.

“It is a commitment to the long-term well-being of our students. By providing accessible, purified drinking water, you are actively supporting our health, improving our daily concentration and encouraging habits that will last us a lifetime,” Mr. James said.

He encouraged students to make the conscious choice to drink water, stay hydrated, and care for the station that has been generously provided to their school.

The Government has earmarked $310 million to rebuild and strengthen St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS)in Santa Cruz.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, made the announcement while addressing the school’s graduation ceremony on June 25, held under the theme ‘Through Challenges We Rise: Embracing Resilience and Achieving Success’.

Dr. Morris Dixon said the investment is part of a broader, multibillion-dollar national effort to rebuild more than 400 schools that sustained damage when the category-five Hurricane Melissa swept across the island in October last year.

“We have 400 schools that have been damaged across Jamaica and all of them we are trying to build back at the same time. You know, that’s a very difficult feat; it’s very hard,” Dr. Morris Dixon outlined.

The Minister pointed out the scope of work being carried out at STETHS, such as redesigning the male and female dormitories with reinforced concrete roof slabs and additional supporting columns to improve structural stability to better withstand future storms.

Also, the damaged teachers’ cottage and the principal’s residence are being upgraded, while the grade-11 block will receive reinforced purlins beneath new 24-gauge industrial roof sheeting, she noted.

Dr. Morris Dixon said additional strengthening works will be carried out across the campus to withstand high winds, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather conditions.

In the meantime, the Minister said that STETHS will become home to Jamaica’s first high-school mechatronics and robotics laboratory when students return in September.

She indicated that the state-of-the-art facility forms part of a $400-million investment by the Ministry, using funding from the HEART/NSTA Trust, to strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in technical high schools across the island.

“We believe that our students at STETHS, or any of the other technical high schools in Jamaica, must have the best technology at their fingertips,” Dr. Morris Dixon underscored.

Addressing the graduating students directly, the Minister encouraged them to mirror the resilience being built into their school’s walls.

She acknowledged that life would bring setbacks and moments of disappointment but urged them to keep moving forward and to view closed doors not as failures but as redirections.

To celebrate the outstanding performance of Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students of Park Mountain Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, visited the institution on Thursday, June 25.

The visit was particularly special, as 11-year-old Jasonnia Beadle of the school had emerged as Jamaica’s top primary school student in the PEP examinations.

Dr. Morris Dixon celebrated the achievement by donating a laptop to both Jasonnia, the school’s Head Girl, as well as the school’s Head Boy, Najhay Nish, who secured a spot at Munro College.

The Minister said that both students alongside their peers were proof that talent and potential exist across every part of Jamaica, regardless of how remote or rural the community might be.

“I’m so glad you get to be highlighted, to get all this publicity because it was hard work. It’s not just something that just happened. It is something that has taken place because of the leadership and the school community,” Dr. Morris Dixon outlined.

She praised the students’ maturity and confidence, noting that their comments reflected the quality of teaching and preparation taking place at the school, despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa in October last year.

The Minister also commended the principal, the school Board and the teaching staff for transforming the institution into an “elite school”.

She noted that the school’s Mathematics and English initiatives, which she observed during a previous visit, have clearly borne fruit and that this achievement is a direct result of deliberate actions and strong leadership.

“So, what I’ve learned from interacting with the head boy and the head girl, who is that number-one primary student, is that success can be had in our schools where we put in the initiatives,” Dr. Morris Dixon explained.

“Also, the parents are very involved, the PTA is here and involved, and that says a lot. So, you have a school with excellent leadership, you have excellent teachers, you have a community that is involved – that is how we get success,” she added.

Dr. Morris Dixon pointed out that the Government remains committed to supporting schools across the island, so that more students can realise their potential and achieve academic excellence.

 

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, has charged the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) to maintain a high standard of content monitoring for the advancement of the nation.

An independent statutory agency under the Ministry, the BCJ is charged with monitoring and regulating the electronic media sector (free-to-air television, broadcast radio, and subscriber/cable television) to ensure it operates within appropriate programming, technical, and service standards.

Speaking to JIS News at the BCJ’s 40th anniversary conference held at the AC Hotel Kingston on Thursday (June 25), Dr. Troupe commended the agency for safeguarding standards and ensuring that citizens, particularly the youth, are receiving safe and clean content, by watching behind the scenes to eliminate excess vulgarity and violence.

“The BCJ is set up for a big reason and we are proud,” Dr. Troupe said.

“As we celebrate our conference this year, we’re looking to see how we can pivot and continue to respond to the need to educate our public about misinformation, disinformation and the risk of scams in the media,” she said.

She emphasised the Commission’s role in the nation’s transition from analogue to digital television, emphasising ongoing collaborative efforts to distribute set-top boxes, educate communities, and ensure equitable access to digital broadcasting services for all Jamaicans.

Executive Director of the BCJ, Cordell Green, said the conference is not only a commemoration of the BCJ’s 40 years of service but also a timely national conversation about the future of Jamaica’s media and communication landscape.

He said it has been phenomenal to see the evolution of technology over the four decades and the extent to which the world has been transformed through artificial intelligence (AI), particularly over the last two to three years.

Mr. Green said he is excited about the prospects for young people and urged them, as they seek to capitalise on the opportunities, to “remember, we are anthropomorphising devices, smart devices. Do not allow yourselves to function inferior to any machine or any device. Innately, we are very powerful people, so let us continue being human-centric. Use these devices ethically”.

“AI is not about doing more with less; it’s about doing more for more people. I hope young people will use AI in that way to do more for themselves, more for their communities, and ultimately more for Jamaica, and that they will also recognise that we have a tremendous gift in free-to-air and over-the-air radio and television,” he said.

The conference, under the theme ‘Legacy. Transformation. Future’, examined the future of media, broadcasting, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, trust, radio, youth engagement and media regulation.

A $3.7-billion contract has been signed for the design and construction of Jamaica’s first Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy.

The school, which will be situated at the Greater Bernard Lodge Development area in Dunbeholden, St. Catherine, will feature cutting-edge science and technology laboratories, digital classrooms, and space for digital innovation, robotics, and the creative arts.

It will have capacity to accommodate approximately 2,400 students from grades seven to 13.

The school will serve as the pilot for a larger government initiative aimed at constructing several specialised STEAM schools across the island to prepare graduates or emerging, future-ready careers.

The National Education Trust (NET) is the implementing agency for the project, with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation as the contracting entity. The project will be undertaken in segments, starting with the design phase.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, in her remarks at the contract signing on Thursday (June 25) at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle location in Kingston, said that the project “is about the development of the children of this country”.

“We are looking forward to the benefits that will redound from this infrastructure investment in our education system. It’s not just about the building but the promise it holds for a brighter Jamaica,” she noted.

“We are looking to see the new learning environments where children can create, ideate [and] innovate, where they can problem solve, where they can foster critical thinking… generate the ideas, and facilitate independent learning,” she added.

Managing Director, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Jay Wang, said that the contract signing represents a turning point for the future of education in Jamaica.

“It marks the execution of a shared commitment to investing in Jamaica’s future through education, innovation and human capital development. It marks the foresight and forward-planning initiatives of the Jamaican people. More importantly, it references the long-standing commitment of cooperation between Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China,” he said.

The new STEAM School will address the growing demand for secondary school spaces in St. Catherine, while providing students with access to world-class educational facilities designed to foster creativity, innovation, critical thinking and technological competence.

The school will provide a future-focused learning environment equipped with modern educational infrastructure, specialised laboratories, technology-enabled classrooms and collaborative learning spaces designed to support interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

The design phase includes architectural, structural engineering and civil engineering design; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services; landscape and site development design; environmental and sustainability considerations; and the preparation and submission of statutory approval applications.

The school will feature academic classroom facilities, science laboratories, technology and engineering laboratories, innovation and maker spaces, visual and performing arts facilities, a library and resource centre, administrative and staff facilities, student support services, information and communications technology infrastructure, sporting and recreational facilities, internal roads, drainage and utility infrastructure, external works and landscaping.

There was a lot of excitement at the Ocho Rios Primary School in St. Ann on Monday (June 22) as students, parents and staff celebrated the outstanding performances in the 2026 Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

Speaking with JIS News, Principal, Suzette Barnes Wilson, expressed pride in the students’ achievements, noting that most pupils were placed at one of their preferred schools.

Highlighting several standout performances, she said that the results reflect the hard work of students, teachers, and families.

“Today we are seeing the results… our collective resolve and preparation paid off,” she noted.

Mrs. Barnes Wilson said that the school’s approach of combining strong academics with practical, technology-enabled learning, has prepared students to meet challenges head-on.

The Principal said that the PEP results will guide next year’s planning, with expanded counselling and guidance services to help students identify high school pathways aligned with their strengths and interests.

There will also be continued investment in teacher development, classroom resources, and digital literacy, along with stronger partnerships with high schools to ensure a smooth transition.

Parents welcomed the PEP outcomes with pride, with Ephraim Simpson, whose son got his first choice, Ferncourt High School, highlighting the benefits of the technology emphasis as students move to higher levels of study.

“The readiness programmes and the focus on information technology are paying off in tangible ways,” he said.

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, who also serves as Chairman of the school’s board, lauded the staff and families.

“We are very excited for our students,” he told JIS News, noting that this year’s results “are among the best we have ever had.”

“The students worked really hard and the results are here to show. Most of them got through to the schools of their choice and it’s excitement all around,” he pointed out.

“We are the largest primary school in the parish…a feeder school that has a track record of excellence. Ocho Rios Primary stands as a template for others striving to raise standards and outcomes for all students,” Mr. Belnavis added.

Ocho Rios Primary, which has a population of some 1,100 students, has earned a reputation for excellence that extends beyond the classroom.

The school blends rigorous academics with robust technology initiatives, including the establishment of a computer lab, positioning students to engage deeply with digital learning and project-based work.

The school has been off the shift system for nearly two years.