A total of 59 seniors have graduated from the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC)–HEART/NSTA Trust Digital Literacy Programme.

The programme, which equips seniors with the skills to confidently use smartphones, tablets and computers, forms part of the Government’s ongoing initiative to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive access for all Jamaican seniors.

The graduation ceremony was held on Friday (September 26), at the Stony Hill HEART Academy in St. Andrew, and was attended by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr.

In his remarks, Minister Charles commended the achievement, noting that the initiative empowers older Jamaicans to thrive in an increasingly digital society.

“This programme… really affirms that seniors are never to be left behind, particularly in the digital age. By bridging that digital divide, we are ensuring that you, our seniors, remain connected,” he said.

Mr. Charles emphasised that digital literacy extends beyond basic device usage, enabling seniors to connect with loved ones overseas via video calls, access essential health and banking services, and foster intergenerational bonds that strengthen families and communities.

He encouraged greater male participation in future training sessions, noting, “We had only three men in this cohort, and I would love to see more stepping forward… age should not be a barrier.” The Minister emphasised that age no longer limits one’s relevance in today’s digital landscape.

Mr. Charles reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive society through the expansion of training programmes, improved internet connectivity, and sustained support for initiatives that promote digital equity among older Jamaicans.

“To the graduates, may your new skills unlock information, joy, and purpose. To those seniors who haven’t yet started this journey, it’s never too late… and to families, we urge you to support your loved ones in embracing technology,” he added.

For her part, Executive Director of the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre, Professor the Most Hon. Denise Eldemire-Shearer, underscored the far-reaching and transformative impact of the training, stating, “A course like this gives our seniors autonomy and independence.”

Executive Director of the NCSC, Cassandra Morrison, commended the graduates for their determination and encouraged them to remain active learners.

“You have not only completed this digital literacy course, but you have shattered stereotypes and proven that there is no limit to learning. Your success today is a beacon to others and a reminder that seniors continue to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.

Ms. Morrison also expressed appreciation to key partners—including the HEART/NSTA Trust, Universal Service Fund (USF), and the Flow Foundation—for their continued support in providing devices, internet access, and computer lab infrastructure, essential to the programme’s success.

The graduation ceremony formed part of the activities commemorating Senior Citizens Month 2025, being observed throughout September under the national theme: ‘Respect, Protect, Empower, Connect’.

State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Crawford, has called on teaching institutions to work more closely with the Government to address the underperformance of boys in the education system.

She made the call during her first official assignment as State Minister at the Grand Gala for Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations, in St. James, on Monday, September 29.

“As a Ministry we do not presume having the solution to this question. We need institutions like you to help us to figure it out, as there’s so many questions that need to be raised,” Ms. Crawford said.

She noted that male students are underperforming in literacy and numeracy. Moreover, they are more likely to disengage from schools and are disproportionately represented among those who drop out before completing secondary education, according to the State Minister.

Ms. Crawford said this is not merely an educational issue, but a pressing national development crisis.

“Now, do we equip teachers with gender sensitive teaching strategies that acknowledge differently how boys and girls learn? Do we integrate more hands-on, skill-based and technology driven learning that excite boys and keep them motivated? Do we provide strong male role models in education so boys can see themselves reflected in their teachers and aspiring to excellence?” she asked.

She added that Jamaica cannot achieve its vision of increasing growth and prosperity if half of its young people are left trailing behind.

In the meantime, the State Minister indicated that special needs education is another area of critical importance.

She commended Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College for already producing excellent special education teachers.

“The future of teacher education in Jamaica must ensure that every teacher graduates with skills, empathy and creativity to support the students with exceptionalities. Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College is already well on the way,” Ms. Crawford explained.

“Special needs education must not be a side programme. It is not an afterthought. It must be part of the core DNA of training for our teachers,” she added.

Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s 50th Anniversary Celebration was held under the theme: ‘Celebrating Excellence, Advancing the Legacy’. The event featured a range of celebratory activities, including presentations and a balloon release to commemorate the college’s five-decade history as a pioneer of western Jamaica’s tertiary education.

Principal of the institution, Dr. Ricardo Bennett, praised the contributions of past principals and Board chairmen.

He pointed out the need for continued government support and robust alumni engagement, as the celebration underscored the college’s enduring commitment to educational excellence and its forward-looking vision for the future.

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is developing a special student card equipped with a built-in security alert feature, designed for use on rural school buses.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, who made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (October 1) Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House, urged parents to accompany their children to sign up for the card.

“It is that card that the students will start using very soon to swipe when they go on the bus. When they swipe that card, each parent will get an alert that they have entered the bus. They will get an alert also when they have left the bus,” she explained.

The National Rural School Bus Programme officially rolled out on September 8, with some 60 buses deployed islandwide.

Minister Morris Dixon expressed satisfaction with the programme’s implementation thus far.

“When I see the joy on our children’s faces when they go on [the school buses], I am reminded that the hard work of fiscal discipline actually can make lives truly better,” she said.

Senator Morris Dixon reminded Jamaicans that students will continue to ride the designated buses free of charge until the end of October. Thereafter, a subsidised fare of $50 per trip will be charged.

More than 200 schools are currently benefitting from the programme, with additional institutions set to be included in its phased implementation.

To support this expansion, 40 additional buses are expected to be deployed between September and November.

Jamaica’s first Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy is being established in St. Catherine as part of the Government’s thrust to better prepare students for the jobs of the future.

Deputy Chief Education Officer for Core Curriculum and Support Services at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Winnie Berry, made the disclosure while speaking during the launch of Jamaica’s Young Voices Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Creative Expression Competition, held on Thursday (September 25) at Excelsior High School in Kingston.

Ms. Berry, who represented Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Kasan Troupe, informed that plans are underway to expand the number of STEAM academies to six by 2029.

These institutions will feature state-of-the-art facilities, advanced laboratories, and dedicated spaces for digital innovation, robotics, and the creative arts

“That’s a big deal,” she declared, adding that “the Government has already laid the foundation for the first STEAM Academy in St. Catherine”

Ms. Berry noted that the initiative aligns with broader education reforms, including the Ministry’s Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) Programme, which aims to modernise curriculum delivery and ensure equitable access to quality learning opportunities for all students.

She added that the education thrust also aligns with Vision 2030 Jamaica—the national development plan aimed at making the country the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business.

“A central pillar of this vision is education, one that is relevant, modern, and capable of equipping our youth with the tools to navigate an ever-changing world,” Ms. Berry stated.

She stated that the Ministry’s emphasis on innovation is reflected in the launch of Jamaica’s Young Voices competition, which will engage students from grades four to 13 in poetry, short stories, visual art, and digital media.

“This competition is especially meaningful as it forms part of Jamaica’s preparation for the third voluntary national review in 2026. By engaging students in creative expression, we are saying to them, your voices matter… your perspectives are valued, and your creativity can help shape Jamaica’s progress on the global stage,” Ms. Berry said.

She added that outstanding entries will be featured in Jamaica’s official report to the United Nations in July 2026, underscoring the seriousness with which the Government values the contributions of young people.

“Be bold in your creativity, fearless in your expression, and proud of your voice. Whether through a poem, a story, a painting, or a digital artwork, let the world see Jamaica through your eyes,” Ms. Berry told the students.

In his remarks, Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, welcomed the competition as a meaningful platform for empowering young Jamaicans to contribute to national development.

He added that the initiative ensures the ideas of young people are not only heard, but actively incorporated into shaping Jamaica’s future development agenda.

Submissions for Jamaica’s Young Voices SDG Creative Expression Competition are due by December 19, 2025.

Education is a familiar domain for newly appointed State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford.

With a foundation in classroom experience and academic training, she has expressed her readiness to serve and contribute to the transformation of Jamaica’s education sector.

Speaking with JIS News on September 19, following her swearing-in ceremony at King’s House, Ms. Crawford expressed gratitude as she assumed her new responsibilities as State Minister.

“First of all, I’m very honoured and very thankful. I am also very excited, because education is my background. I’m a trained teacher of English Language and English Literature. I received training at Shortwood Teachers’ College,” she shared.

The State Minister holds a first degree in Language Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Educational Leadership.

“It feels like familiar ground. I am looking forward to working very closely, under the guidance of [Portfolio] Minister [Senator Dr. the Hon.] Dana Morris Dixon, to deliver transformation and just exciting initiatives for our children and adult learners of Jamaica,” she said.

As she assumes her new role, Ms. Crawford is prioritising alignment with the Ministry’s strategic vision and policy goals.

“My immediate priority is to sit with the Minister to see what the plans are, have a discussion and see what the focus areas for me will be,” she explained.

Balancing her dual responsibilities as State Minister and Member of Parliament for Manchester Central is a challenge Ms. Crawford embraces with unwavering dedication.

“I’m very accustomed to balancing and I’m about servant leadership. I can never forget that to be able to assume this role, it is because the people of Manchester Central elected me. So they have to, at all times, be at my forefront,” she affirmed.

The State Minister assured the public of her commitment to service and excellence.

“They can expect servant leadership, undiluted love and commitment to the people of Jamaica, leadership with excellence, leadership with distinction and just a lot of work,” Ms. Crawford said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon has informed that the HEART/NSTA Trust has provided skills training for over 550,000 young people since 2020.

Dr. Morris Dixon made the disclosure during a keynote address at the Union of Jamaican Alumni Association’s (UJAA) 35th anniversary luncheon and awards, held at the Green Tree Country Club, in New Rochelle, New York on September 14.

“We have expanded technical training by eliminating all tuition fees up to an associate degree. This ensures our young people are not only readily employable, but are prepared for leadership in logistics, construction, renewable energy, and creative industries,” she stated.

“The nature of our training programmes has changed to incorporate more technology, but more importantly, the target audience has morphed as well. We have a few bespoke initiatives,” she added.

Dr. Morris Dixon also informed that the Ministry, with assistance from the World Bank, will be retooling biology, chemistry and physics labs in 14 high schools this academic year.

She also mentioned the implementation of the rural school bus system, where in the first phase, an initial fleet of 100 school buses will be deployed.

“These buses will serve approximately 258 rural schools across the island. The rural school bus system is breaking down barriers for students who previously struggled to even reach their classrooms. Education must not depend on geography, and we are making sure of that,” the Minister said.

In the meantime, Dr. Morris Dixon has lauded UJAA for its 35 years of service, in building bridges and keeping the flame of patriotism burning among Jamaicans abroad.

“Today, I am happy to join you in this celebration. We celebrate the thousands of scholarships you have awarded, the countless schools you have assisted, and the generations of students whose futures are brighter because you chose to remember your roots and invest in Jamaica,” she said.

The National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL), an agency of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, is accepting applications for Cohort 12 of its flagship Aspiring Principals’ Programme (APP).

The deadline for submitting applications is November 16, 2025.

The APP is a strategic initiative designed to prepare educators for the demands of principalship before they assume the role.

Developed in response to research highlighting the critical impact of school leadership on student success, the programme addresses the longstanding practice of promoting classroom teachers to principalship, without formal leadership training. According to a bulletin issued by the Ministry, the NCEL, through the APP, continues to attract and identify high-potential candidates and equip them with the Professional Qualification for Principalship (PQP), a credential that ensures readiness for school leadership.

All educators registered with the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC), with at least three years of teaching experience and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education or a related discipline can apply.

The programme is delivered in collaboration with The University of the West Indies (UWI), with delivery of critical leadership modules and a field experience.

Participants will also be exposed to an array of contextually relevant and practical professional development sessions. To apply, persons may visit ncel.gov.jm and browse the “Programmes” tab, then click the ‘Apply’ tab or visit https://isims.ncel.edu.jm/ then click ‘Apply’.

Classes are held on Saturdays or Sundays for one year (excluding summer) and are delivered via a blended format (synchronous and asynchronous).

For further information, persons may contact NCEL via email at [email protected] or call 876-488-486.

More than 5,000 tablets previously used in Jamaica’s 2022 Population and Housing Census have been redistributed to schools across the island under the Tablets in Schools programme.

Speaking with JIS News recently, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of eLearning Jamaica Company Limited, Andrew Lee, described the initiative as a significant step towards advancing digital education and inclusion.

The tablet redistribution is the result of a collaborative effort among eLearning Jamaica, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

“We’re focusing on primary schools. Our aim is to start early with the youngsters to ensure they develop the skills needed to thrive in a digital world. These tablets will go a long way in enhancing our vision to outfit every primary school with tablets, laptops, charging carts, and interactive panels,” Mr. Lee told JIS News.

The official launch of the redistribution took place on August 27, when 110 tablets were handed over to Christel House Academy in St. Catherine.

“They’re doing quite a bit to push STEM education. They’re even using the devices as part of their music and arts programmes,” Mr. Lee noted.

For her part, STATIN’s Director General, Ms. Leesha Delatie-Budair, noted that the programme not only highlights STATIN’s dedication to public accountability but also showcases the organisation’s commitment to sustainable national development.

“This represents a valuable partnership between government agencies working together for a shared national outcome. By donating over 5,500 devices, we’re expanding access to ICT equipment that aids learning, supports education equity, and contributes to sustainable development,” she said.

Ms. Delatie-Budair also underscored the environmental and educational benefits of repurposing the devices. She emphasised that rather than creating additional e-waste, the initiative gives these tablets a second life.

“Our message to the recipients is simple: seize the moment, seize the opportunity. Use it to build your ability to learn and grow, and to achieve your dreams,” she added.

The Tablets in Schools programme continues to be a cornerstone of Jamaica’s digital transformation in education, with plans to deepen partnerships and expand access to technology across the island’s school system.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is actively integrating digital resources into classrooms to foster greater interactivity, engagement, and access to quality learning experiences.

Assistant Chief Education Officer of the Media Services Unit in the Ministry, Dr. Nadine Simms, says this is being done through the digital education strategy.

“The Ministry’s digital strategy is about integrating information and communications technology (ICT) within the education system. So ICTs will be used in administration and teaching and learning for efficiency, to help with data-driven decisions and to make learning exciting for our students who… are digital natives,” Dr. Simms said.

She was speaking recently on the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) television programme, ‘Get the Facts’.

Dr. Simms informed that the Ministry’s Media Services Unit is responsible for creating, developing and sourcing interactive educational resources for students across the education system.

“We are also responsible for providing access [to information] through our Ministry digital library platform, and there is also a YouTube channel. We also have a TV station, [via] PBCJ (Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica), [through] which content is shared. So, think of it as creating, developing, sourcing and accessing, and we promote these educational resources or digital resources,” she stated.

“We also participate in educational workshops, conferences, meetings and webinars. We also do training and professional development for educational stakeholders… in the new and emerging technologies, for example, artificial intelligence,” the Assistant Chief Education Officer added.

Dr. Simms further stated that the Unit “helps individuals understand how to integrate digital tools into their daily functions, as well as how to care for the various devices”.

Additionally, Dr. Simms highlighted the use of artificial intelligence to animate book characters.

“Back in the day, we had some LMW readers, for example… Roy and Pam. So we have taken those resources, and we have used artificial intelligence to make them come alive. So, you will see a Pam and a Roy that looks like you and me… the books are very interactive. The students can touch them, and the characters come alive,” she stated.

“There is closed captioning that caters to students with special needs. So the resources are very interactive, because it’s all about getting our students excited and wanting to read and learn… to improve our literacy and numeracy,” Dr. Simms added.

A new Education Management Information System is to be implemented by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, explained that the system will facilitate real-time student monitoring and support data-driven decision-making to address issues such as absenteeism.

“I call on all school leaders to use the tools to transform how we lead, teach, and support our students,” she said during her back-to-school broadcast for the 2025/26 academic year on Sunday (August 31).

Dr. Morris Dixon also noted that nutrition and student well-being are key areas under review by the Ministry.

“We know that hungry children cannot learn. Nine billion dollars is allocated to provide our children… our needy children… with a hot meal five days per week. For our children in underperforming schools, a separate $1 billion has been allocated to provide them with breakfast and lunch,” she stated.

The Ministry will also roll out its new National School Nutrition Policy, designed to elevate the standard of meals at institutions.

On another matter, Dr. Morris Dixon reported that the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) results at the secondary level showed marked improvements in English and Mathematics, attributing the gains to targeted interventions in underperforming schools.

In the May/June 2025 sitting of the CSEC examinations, 85 per cent of Jamaican students earned a passing grade in English A, while 44 per cent achieved passes in Mathematics.

In 2024, 76 per cent of students passed English A, while 39 per cent achieved a passing grade in Mathematics.

“We will do more Maths and English camps and deploy more specialist educators to support our children who need it most,” Minister Morris Dixon stated.