The Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) has reported that there has been an increase in Jamaica’s overall implementation rate to 47 per cent.

This is up from the 43 per cent at the previous quarterly briefing and an increase of 400 basis points.

This represents 47 per cent of the 365 recommendations contained in the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission report.

The announcement was made by Chairman, ETOC, Dr. Adrian Stokes, at Thursday’s (October 22) quarterly ETOC press conference, held at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

The Chairman said that the four per cent increase from 43 per cent shows good progress.

Dr. Stokes attributed the progress to gains in several areas, including governance, finance, infrastructure and early childhood.

He said nine percentage points gains in early childhood, 11 percentage points in infrastructure and nine percentage points in finance contributed to the increase.

“These are the pillars that led to the overall increase in progress for the reporting period,” he said.

He also said an additional 18 initiatives had been fully implemented, bringing the total number of fully implemented recommendations to 166.

Meanwhile, State Minister in Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, said they are making sure that they are going for sustainable and practical steps and strategies, rather than going for quick wins.

“You have seen the steady progress. Just last July we were at 43 per cent. We’re at 47 and I know the next time we meet, we will perhaps hit 50 or little over 50,” Ms. Crawford said.

“I have that level of confidence in Dr. Stokes and the team,” the State Minister said.

She commended Dr. Stokes for the work he has been doing with ETOC.

“For any committee that we put in place, the person who leads the committee plays a very critical role, and Dr. Stokes is very serious and very critical about his timelines,” she said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, says the Government is advancing plans to rebuild Alpha Primary School at a cost of $2.3 billion, with the project at an advanced stage of the public investment process.

Senator Morris Dixon made the disclosure during the opening of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Lab and the Resource Centre at the institution on South Camp Road in Kingston, on Thursday (October 22).

The Minister explained that the newly opened STEM Lab represents the first completed phase of a broader plan to re-envision Alpha Primary School, which includes the institution’s proposed relocation and major redevelopment as part of a wider vision for the campus.

“I’m very pleased to tell you that in the Ministry of Education, we’re looking at a project to rebuild Alpha Primary. The cost is $2.3 billion,” the Minister said.

The Minister noted that the project is progressing through the public investment process and that efforts will be made to secure its inclusion in the National Budget.

“We’re in an advanced stage in that. I’m going to push as hard as I can to ensure that we get past that phase and that it gets put into the Budget,” she said.

The Minister expressed confidence that the redevelopment would provide students with a modern learning environment and pledged to work with the Sisters of Mercy and the wider community to execute the project.

She also commended the Sisters of Mercy for their work in serving communities and creating opportunities for Jamaican children, expressing confidence in working with them as plans advance for the proposed redevelopment.

Alpha Primary School has a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) laboratory fully equipped to prepare students for 21st century careers.

The facility, established through support from Digicel Foundation and National Baking Company Foundation, provides practical facilities to deepen students’ science and technology skills while supporting the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) education into the curriculum.

Addressing the official opening on Thursday (October 22) at the school’s South Camp Road campus, Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, said the lab will help to expose students to the skills required in an increasingly technology-driven world.

She said that STEM education develops competencies that are useful across professions.

“The Prime Minister has already signalled that if we’re going to be the developed country that we all want to be, Jamaica has to become a STEM country,” she said.

“STEM education is most fundamental. It develops critical thinking. It develops creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that are important in every single profession,” she added.

The Minister highlighted the connection between technical knowledge and creativity, noting that innovation requires students to apply what they learn to real-world challenges.

“Engineers must be creative, programmers must imagine new solutions, designers must understand mathematics and technology,” she said.

Senator Morris Dixon underscored the importance of ensuring that teachers are prepared to incorporate technology into their lessons.

“As we build out a STEM lab like this, it is important that our teachers are carried along,” she said.

She pointed to the Nurturing Early Scientific Thinking (NEST) programme, which has been rolled out to 500 institutions to support the introduction of scientific concepts at an early age through learning materials and teacher training.

The Minister also outlined plans to expand opportunities for students to develop skills in robotics, coding and mechatronics, while highlighting the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory at the University of Technology, Jamaica, with support from HEART/NSTA Trust and private-sector partners.

“AI is the way of the future. We have a plan in terms of how we’re going to take our children there… . With your support, we can have that plan executed even more quickly and benefit even more Jamaican children,” Senator Morris Dixon noted.

She encouraged the students to make full use of the facility and maintain an interest in learning.

“Always be curious. Never, ever stop asking questions about the world,” the Minister urged.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Digicel Foundation, Charmaine Daniels, highlighted the collaboration that helped bring the facility to fruition, including the partnership with the Sisters of Mercy.

She noted that the project required a dedicated facility to meet the school’s needs, rather than simply upgrading an existing classroom. She said the Foundation’s board was supportive of the initiative, recognising the importance of providing students with an appropriate environment for practical learning.

The CEO also emphasised the value of partnerships in making educational projects possible, noting that collaboration among organisations can help schools access facilities and resources that strengthen students’ learning experiences.

“It always takes a village,” she highlighted.

Chairman and CEO of National Baking Company, Gary Hendrickson, in his remarks, noted the importance of preparing students to understand and use emerging technologies.

He encouraged them to take advantage of the lab and use the resources to explore their interests and develop skills that could prepare them for future opportunities.

For her part, Area Administrator for the Sisters of Mercy Jamaica, Marcia Tai Chun, said the lab forms part of a seven-year plan for the development of the Alpha campus.

She explained that the facility comprises two laboratory spaces and a resource room, equipped with 30 computers, scientific tools and other equipment to support teaching and learning.

Ms. Tai Chun informed that the Digicel Foundation funded the construction of the main building, with the National Baking Company Foundation providing the computers, furniture and equipment. The school also raised funds to support the construction of restrooms.

Principal of Alpha Primary School, Okelo Francis, expressed gratitude to the partners whose contributions helped to make the facility possible.

He said the STEAM Lab represents an investment in the students’ curiosity, innovation and future opportunities, providing them with a space to apply what they learn in the classroom.

Mr. Francis noted that the value of the facility will, ultimately, be reflected in the knowledge and skills students develop through their engagement with the resources.

Sixty-four students who sat the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations in 2025 and 2026 have been awarded government scholarships valued more than $7 million.

Recipients of named government scholarships received $180,000 each, while other students were awarded $100,000 each.

The awards were presented at the Annual PEP Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held at Shortwood Teachers’ College in St. Andrew on Tuesday (October 20), under the theme ‘Celebrating Excellence: Inspiring Futures’.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, who delivered the main address, said the ceremony was a celebration of some of the brightest minds in Jamaica.

“I want you to remember that you are [among] the best. When you get this scholarship today, what the country’s saying to you is that we believe in you and we’re expecting big things from you,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Grade Six PEP results over the last two years have been very encouraging.

She said this year’s performance was particularly noteworthy, especially considering the significant disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa.

“We delivered results that were better than the previous year, even with a hurricane. So it showed us encouraging evidence that we’re making progress in improving learning outcomes across Jamaica,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

She also shared that all the students present were COVID-19 learners, having navigated the challenges of adjusting to online learning.

“We know the learning losses that occurred during COVID… and then you also had to go through hurricanes. You had [Hurricane] Beryl and then Hurricane Melissa. You have had to do so much and have to overcome so much already at this age… but you’ve done it really well. Despite all these disruptions, you’ve been resilient,” Minister Morris Dixon stated.

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Education Officer, Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle, said the students had demonstrated that brilliance is not a matter of chance but rather the result of deliberate choices, discipline and strong character.

“You represent the absolute vanguard of Jamaica’s future. This scholarship is the Government’s solemn promise to you. It is our way of saying we see your spark, we believe in your vision, and we will pave the way for your potential to run freely,” she pointed out.

Mrs. Thomas Gayle encouraged the scholars to remain curious and resilient, and to remember the grit that brought them to this point when faced with challenges.

The eight recipients of named government scholarships are Shomari Harrison and Damarcus Bennett, who were awarded the Marcus Garvey Scholarship; Jasonnia Beadle and Haley Saunders, who received the JAG Smith Scholarship; Nathaniel Brooks and Nalani Bailey, who earned the George William Gordon Scholarship; and Nathanael Stewart and Denisha Smith, who were awarded the Paul Bogle Scholarship.

Government of Jamaica scholarships were also awarded to 28 boys and 28 girls.

The boys awarded include Jacob Salazar, Yori Vanriel, Darien Hudlin, Kyle Stewart, Dejaun Williams, Jayden Choi, Kristian Campbell, Rafi Duncan, Rhys James, James Whittingham, Jaxon James, Najhaun Morris, Orlando Zinck, Gabriel Clark, Adam Simpson, Alex Rainford, Gaville Goburn, Rhys Hanson, Liam Russell, Carson Campbell, Noah Thwaites, Kailani Brown, David Dunkley, Khael Davis, Derwin Hamil, Tanner Reid, Brandon Crookendale and Malique Elvy.

The girls are Xia Nunes, Christina Magnus, Ariana-Marie Daniels, Sujanne Smith, Akeela Waisome, Anniya McDonald, Ashli-Rai Goodall, Briona Hall, Avery Blagrove, Katalia Smikle, Nia Peddie, Suri Edwards, Skyler Lafayette, Jahneal Kennedy, Sarah Stimpson, Anushka Wisdom, Khaleesi Sherman, Sarita Desai, Hayley Harvey, Najaa Rattray, Emilia-Rose Leake, Aria Thomas, Zaria Stern, Carissa Chin, Tahlia Brown, Tenese Mowatt, Madison Murray and Hailey Cadogan.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, has signed an agreement with the Digicel Foundation for the renovation of the Special Education Unit at the Port Maria Primary School in St. Mary.

The $39 million project will transform an existing space into a fully functional unit with improvements to infrastructure and provision of specialised equipment and resources to support learning.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Kasan Troupe, in providing details of the project, said it will include two refurbished classrooms, a sick bay, three bathrooms, and a sensory room.

“The Ministry will see to the resourcing of the rooms and the maintenance going forward,” she said.

Dr. Troupe was addressing the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle headquarters on Friday (Oct. 16).

She said that the Ministry is increasing the number of special education units across the sector, while expanding its assessment capabilities.

“We are about to formally open our assessment services and diagnostic services at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland, and we are hoping that [the facility] will respond to the needs for assessment in that side of the country,” she said.

Dr. Troupe commended Digicel for continuing to support the Ministry’s thrust to ensure inclusion and equity in the public education system.

She highlighted the importance of partnerships with the private sector to ensure that the targeted needs of special education can be served, and assured Digicel Foundation that its investment will not be taken for granted.

“We will seek to protect it, to maintain it, and to ensure that access will always be provided to our students who desire and need it most,” she pledged.

Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Foundation, Charmaine Daniels, in her remarks, said that the organisation is pleased to support the Ministry in expanding access to special education spaces.

She informed that work on the project is expected to get underway by March 2027.

Port Maria Primary School Principal, Carla Thomas-Ruddock, expressed gratitude to the Ministry and Digicel Foundation.

“They have provided the answer to a need that has been there in the school community for a very long time. Now that the project will become a reality, we are looking forward to great things and… helping our students to become world-class citizens,” she said.

School Board Chairman, Caron Bernal-Rose, for her part, said that the school community is “overwhelmingly happy to see that we are embarking on this journey and that we will be implementing this programme.”

“As we strive for excellence and inclusiveness, we are very proud to know that the Port Maria Primary School has been selected for a programme such as this,” she stated.

In an effort to make information more easily available to the public, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, is encouraging personnel with jobs relating to information access to be more open, accessible and accountable.

During her address on International Day for Universal Access on Monday (September 28), which is also being celebrated during the Ministry’s Right to Know Conference 2026 at AC Hotel, Kingston, Dr. Troupe made the call.

She encouraged public-sector officers to change their notion of wanting to keep information back and being responsible to the public.

“Colleagues, you are not simply processing requests. You are helping to build a culture; a culture in which citizens know that they can ask questions, a culture in which the public officers understand their responsibilities, a culture in which government information is treated as an important public resource,” Dr. Troupe said.

“It is a part of customer service to have information readily available and to respond. For public officers, I think this requires a shift in how we think about information. The question should not always be, ‘Why should we release this information?’ We should increasingly ask the question, ‘What information can we make available and how can we make it easier for people to find and understand that information?’ That’s the job,” she said.

She noted that access to information can help move public discussion beyond speculation and towards evidence, the foundation to understanding trends, evaluating programmes and generating knowledge.

Dr. Troupe also reminded them that public-sector workers have a responsibility to report publicly, because it is public funds that are paying them. However, she noted that in some legitimate circumstances in which information cannot be disclosed based on law, transparency should not depend entirely on the process.

“For civil society, information supports meaningful engagement with the government and the communities. And for citizens, it can answer something as simple as ‘What is happening and why is this happening?’ Where information can be proactively made available, that should be part of how we approach the public service,” Dr. Troupe said.

“What we do is not private work. It’s public work and we are accountable to the public, and so we have to make sure information is at our fingertips so we can make sure the public is fully aware of what is happening on their behalf… . There is value in all of this, because better informed citizens can engage more meaningfully,” she said.

At the event, there was a wide array of public-sector interests, primarily persons who are a part of departments that are responsible for information sharing and informing the public.

There were public officers responsible for facilitating public access to information, researchers who need reliable information to better understand Jamaica’s society, and civil society organisers who use information to engage the Government and advocate for change.

“Those may appear to be very different interests, yet there is something that connects us all. Information matters and the right to know matters, because people cannot meaningfully participate in society if they cannot access information. They need to understand what is happening around them. They need to have access, and so this is important for any country to be driving this portfolio,” she said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has issued a call for private-sector leaders to actively collaborate with the Ministry and align investments with future workforce demands.

Speaking at the High-Level National Digital and AI Skills Roundtable on Tuesday, (September 29), at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Dr. Morris Dixon highlighted some of the structural shifts under way in Jamaica’s education system but noted that a partnership with the private sector is required to advance the workforce transformation.

“Nearly 40 per cent of the skills required in jobs are expected to change by 2030. Four out of 10 jobs will have to change… . Our task is bigger than training for training’s sake. The policy mission of the administration is to build a skills system that is connected directly to economic opportunity,” Dr. Morris Dixon stated.

She pointed to improvements in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations as evidence that foundational critical-thinking skills are already taking root in primary schools, yielding higher-calibre students at the high-school level.

To sustain this momentum, she emphasised that institutions like the HEART/NSTA Trust must adapt to better serve the productive needs of the Jamaican economy.

“So, this new model that we’re looking at, we have to ask industry some questions as we do our work in the Ministry of Education,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

“We have to ask what do you need? What occupations are becoming difficult to fill?… What kinds of skills are becoming more valuable?… And perhaps most importantly, what skills do you anticipate needing three or five years from now?” she questioned.

She noted that with the answers to these questions, the education system can be adjusted, especially at the high-school level, to meet industry standards.

The High-Level National Digital and AI Skills Round Table was hosted by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), in collaboration with ‘iamtheCODE’ Caribbean, the local arm of the Africa-led global movement, iamtheCODE Foundation, which was founded by Lady Marieme Jamme.

Co-Founder of iamtheCODE Caribbean, Mariame McIntosh Robinson, echoed the urgency for cross-sector coordination, citing World Bank data showing that while 36 per cent of Jamaica’s workforce (ages 25-64) holds a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) accreditation, limited formal digital skills training accompanies it.

“Access to capital is often cited as a constraint to business growth. But lately, the whispers have crescendoed into an outcry where businesses are saying, I can’t find access to human capital. So… our goal is to ensure that we make our mark pulling people together to make a difference from a human capital standpoint,” Mrs. Robinson pointed out.

She detailed the progress of iamtheCODE Caribbean, which was launched last year in Jamaica.

The self-paced, fully remote learning platform provides a customised eight-module curriculum balancing technical computer coding language training with soft skills like design thinking, communications and project management.

Mrs. Robinson announced that applications for the second cohort of the initiative are currently open and will begin in November.

It builds on the success of cohort one, which included 160 learners, 90 of whom completed foundational HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and 40 completed all eight modules.

“While iamtheCODE focuses on girls and women across the world, for Jamaica, we made it clear at the beginning that we have an equal focus on men and women, boys and girls, because of what we’re trying to strive for in our society,” Mrs. Robinson added.

Jamaica is the 89th country to join the global iamtheCODE movement, which aims to empower one million women and girls with digital and STEAMD (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design) skills by 2030.

Students at Roger Clarke High School, in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth, had improved performance in this year’s CSEC examinations, with the pass rate climbing to 75.6 per cent, up from 59.67 per cent in 2025.

State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, outlined the performance at the school’s 50th anniversary ceremony and officially opened a new cosmetology lab on Thursday, October 1.

She also noted that the overall pass rate stood at 54.9 per cent in 2024 and moved to 59.67 per cent in 2025.

She urged parents to make the school a first choice for their children, pointing to dedicated staff members who are “so passionate in moving your students” up the academic ladder.

The celebration was held under the theme ‘A Golden Journey: 50 Years of Inspiring Change Through Integrity and Achievement’.

Established in 1976 as Balaclava High School, the institution was renamed in 2015 in honour of the late former Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth North Eastern and former Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke.

The new cosmetology lab, funded by the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, the Co-operative Credit Union and the Scotiabank Foundation, is expected to give students hands-on training.

“This lab will give students the opportunity to connect theory with practice, develop competence and confidence,” Ms. Crawford said.

She added that cosmetology can lead to employment, further training and entrepreneurship.

According to the State Minister, the lab shows the value of partnership in education, noting that businesses, alumni and community groups can contribute through funding, equipment and mentorship.

In the meantime, Ms. Crawford said that the Ministry continues to push for technical and vocational education. This also includes greater involvement with the HEART/NSTA Trust in secondary schools, so more students graduate with recognised skill certification alongside academic qualifications.

“A lot of the persons who have their skill certificates… are earning far more than those who have pursued academics at universities,” she underscored.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, is urging young people to adopt a culture of giving blood regularly, noting that more persons are needed to give blood routinely to help save lives.

The Minister was addressing the mixer for the first cohort of student ambassadors to be inducted into the ‘You’re Somebody’s Type Blood Donation Youth Ambassador’s Programme’, held at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew, on Monday (October 5).

The initiative is being undertaken through collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) to increase awareness about the importance of regular blood donation.

Senator Morris Dixon said Jamaica must move away from waiting until someone is critically ill and requires blood before mobilising donors.

“We have to do much more in giving blood donations and you, as young people, you’re going to have to start this revolution in Jamaica where we do it more often,” she said, noting that Jamaicans are frequently asked through WhatsApp messages to donate blood for persons in urgent need.

She encouraged the students to make blood donation a routine act of community service, pointing out that their efforts could have an impact beyond the persons they directly reach.

“You are saving lives when you do it,” she said, adding that a student may influence another person to donate, who may, in turn, encourage someone else to give blood.

“It still comes back to you,” the Minister said, while encouraging the young ambassadors to continue serving in their schools and communities.

Senator Morris Dixon also described students as leaders and said the country needs more young people who are willing to give back. She congratulated the ambassadors for accepting the responsibility and encouraged them to continue participating in school clubs and other activities that contribute to their communities.

Meanwhile, student of Immaculate Conception High School, Elena Chin, said the programme had helped the students to understand the human impact behind every request for blood.

“Behind every unit of blood needed is a person, a family, and a story,” she said, noting that blood shortages can affect surgeries and other critical medical care. She said testimony shared during the event demonstrated how blood donations can restore opportunities and improve quality of life, adding that she hoped recipients could return to school, work and their passions.

She said the ambassadors have accepted a responsibility to educate their peers, challenge misconceptions, use social media and start conversations about blood donation in schools, communities and families. She said the students intend to use creativity, teamwork, dedication and leadership to build a culture in which donating blood is viewed not as an occasional act but as a regular service to others.

State Minister in the Education, Skills, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, is thanking teachers for their hard work and dedication to the development of the nation’s students.

She said educators are among Jamaica’s greatest asset.

“As a teacher myself, I understand first-hand, the sacrifices that teachers have to make, I understand the level of commitment and dedication it takes,” she said.

“Behind every improvement we celebrate is a teacher who gave extra time, tried another strategy, encouraged a child to persevere, and refused to accept that a student is not improving,” she noted.

Ms. Crawford was addressing the World Teachers’ Day church service on Sunday (October 4) at the Church of God Prophecy in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

She noted that this year’s World Teachers’ Day observance is significant because it marks 60 years since the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers.

It establishes international standards for teachers’ rights and responsibilities, their preparation and professional development, and the conditions needed for effective teaching and learning.

“Sixty years later, the profession continues to evolve,” Ms. Crawford said, noting that teachers are now navigating digital technologies and artificial intelligence, responding to increasingly diverse learning needs, and supporting students with social and emotional challenges.

“Yet, even as the tools and circumstances change, the importance of the teacher has not diminished. If anything, the complexity of education today reminds us why well-prepared supported and valued teachers are indispensable,” the State Minister said.

She noted that the education transformation agenda depends greatly on teachers.

“We can always introduce new technologies, improve infrastructure, strengthen curriculum and develop new programmes but it is the teachers who will bring about the needed transformation,” she said.

“They are the ones who will have to transform physical spaces and resources into meaningful experiences that can ensure the advancement of our students,” she pointed out.

During the function, awards were presented to outstanding teachers from Region 6 (St. Catherine) under the Quality Education Circle (QEC) initiative. These teachers were recognised for excellence in teaching, innovation and professional leadership and making a meaningful impact on learners, schools and communities.

The church service included the launch of the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (JTEC) Week 2026, which is being observed from October 4 to 9 under the theme ‘Building a Future-Ready Jamaica Through Higher Education’.

The week will highlight opportunities, share sector developments, and celebrate student success across Jamaica’s higher-education sector.

Ms. Crawford said that a future ready-Jamaica needs strong educators at every level of the education system.

“[We need] teachers preparing our youngest learners and those guiding students through secondary and tertiary education. Together, they build the knowledge, character and capabilities Jamaica will need,” she added.