The Government continues to implement special initiatives to enhance mathematics and literacy education, with the aim of improving academic performance in inner-city schools.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, who recently toured Higholborn Street Basic, Franklyn Town Primary, St. Michael’s Primary and Holy Family Primary and Infant Schools in Kingston Central, said the National School Learning and Intervention Plan (NSLIP) is critical to this mandate.

“Franklyn Town Primary is one of our NSLIP schools; these are schools we are intervening in significantly. At the end of the day, the success of our education system relies on our teachers and principals. We have excellent leadership and when you see results at a school like this, taking students from 20 per cent to over 50 per cent literacy [with even more strategies to improve this figure]… this is what we need, and all of us have to support this,” she said while addressing journalists during the tour.

The Education Ministry developed the NSLIP to guide curriculum management in schools.

The initiative includes additional teaching time for summer schools and extra lessons/homework programmes, psychosocial and parental engagement, strict attendance monitoring, provision of digital learning resources, a robust accountability framework, and a focus on customised learning based on assessment data.

“I have been able to see our schools working really hard in our inner-city communities. The children are really bright, full of life and brilliant. I saw principals working hard to make sure that they are able to get the maths and literacy training [they need to excel],” the Minister said.

Notably, Dr. Morris Dixon said the special needs programmes she observed at these schools are effectively integrating special needs children into broader academic initiatives.

Jamaica’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab will be established at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech Ja) in St. Andrew, by September 1.

In collaboration with the Amber Group, 100 data analysis engineers will be onboarded to create the lab and build agentic AI – a class of AI which can autonomously make decisions and take actions without constant human intervention.

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, Senator the Hon. Ambassador Audrey Marks, underscored that AI plays a critical role in shaping Jamaica’s future, noting that it is no longer just a tool of convenience.

Addressing the National AI Lab Signing Ceremony, held at AC Hotel by Marriott in Kingston on Friday (June 6), Ambassador Marks said AI is a powerful driver of economic transformation, job creation, innovation and global competitiveness.

“With the global AI market expected to reach nearly $3.6 trillion by 2034, Jamaica must position itself as a serious contender. We have the talent, infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit,” she declared.

Ambassador Marks expressed gratitude to the Amber Group for its pioneering work and unwavering commitment to national development.

“The investments in AI, the Internet of Learning and digital transformation continue to set the bar for innovation in Jamaica. With these collaborations, Jamaica is preparing our people for AI opportunities, which have the potential of transforming lives and bringing financial freedom and independence to many,” she said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, shared that Jamaica has the capacity to lead in AI.

“The AI lab and the Jamaica Learning Assistant are not gimmicks or gadgets. They are foundational pillars of a new era in education. This is an era in which access to high quality learning is not determined by income level or proximity to a brand name school or innate ability to learn,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

She reasoned that educators are being trained in AI literacy and digital pedagogies so that they can guide students confidently through this new era.

“Transformation of education requires bravery. We have chosen to be brave. We have chosen to leapfrog. We’ve chosen this future because Jamaica’s young people deserve not just to be consumers of global technology, but to be the creators of it and we choose this future because our children must be defined not by limits, but by limitless opportunity,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

For her part, HEART/NSTA Trust Managing Director, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, highlighted that the AI Lab guarantees that Jamaica seizes its rightful place in the global digital and technological landscape.

Dr. Ingleton shared that it will serve as a national resource hub for training, research and for the development of AI based curricula.

“We are establishing faculty exchanges and laboratory sharing between HEART and UTech, fostering a seamless learning community. Staff from both institutions will benefit from advanced laboratories and collaborative research, constructing a pipeline of talent steeped in AI and data science,” she explained.

UTech Ja President, Dr. Kevin Brown, reasoned that the institution is well-positioned to serve as the host of the groundbreaking initiative, which will serve as a vibrant hub of creativity and a centre of excellence.

“Our university offers the ideal environment to support this AI lab with the academic infrastructure, research capabilities and the institutional expertise required to sustain its growth. We are committed to fully integrating the lab in our teaching and research programmes, ensuring our students and faculty remain at the forefront of AI innovation and continue to contribute meaningfully to national and regional development,” Dr. Brown said.

He added that it will bring together developers, researchers, entrepreneurs and students who will be empowered to work together to generate ideas, nurture talent and solve real world challenges using cutting edge technology.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information recently hosted a Child Conversation Wellness Bench Lyme event to educate teenagers on stress management and prioritizing their mental well-being.

The event was hosted at the Holiday Haven in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, where students from various schools were engaged in a number of activities designed to promote mental wellness.

The initiative was championed by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, highlighting a profound dedication to addressing the mental health exigencies of young individuals.

In a video message, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, urged attendees to prioritize mental health and reassured them they were not alone.

“In the face of pressures from social media, family, and peer expectations, as well as navigating school life among others, you should know that you are not alone. There is help available, if you need it,” he stated.

Dr. Tufton encouraged the adolescents not to fear expressing their emotions and to seek out a safe environment or individual in whom they can confide. He emphasized that discussing one’s feelings should not be perceived as a sign of weakness.

The Minister further encouraged the students to utilize the wellness bench, which was on-site and served as a poignant emblem of the promotion, creation, and preservation of safe spaces for young individuals, as well as others in society, in the pursuit of their mental well-being.

For her part, the Regional Director of the Education Ministry for Region Three, Karlene Segree, also praised both ministries for their partnership in orchestrating such a significant event.

She emphasized that the education ministry stands for children’s right and condemned violence against children on the island.

“We stand with our children, without the children, we have no school, without the children, we have no jobs. We are condemning all the acts that have been taking place in recent times against children, against our boys and against our girls across Jamaica,” she said.

“Children’s lives matter and as you know, we are working with the national agenda, Transforming Education for National Development (TREND). We will not be able to achieve it if we destroy the lives of our young people, our children, our boys and our girls, our adolescents. We want to see you thrive. We want to see you grow. We want to be a part of your success,” Ms. Segree stated

Minister of Education Skills Youth & Information, Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon (second right) accepts a painting from President, Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA), Tamar McKenzie (right), during a courtesy call by JISA members at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices in Kingston on Tuesday (June 3). Sharing in the presentation (from left) are Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kasan Troupe; and Director, Liberty Academy at the Priory, Susan Williams, who painted the artwork.

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) has received an additional 200 laptop computers from e-Learning Jamaica Limited.

This brings to 400 the total number of devices that have been donated to the JLS by e-Learning Jamaica.

The investment forms part of Jamaica’s broader national digital transformation plan spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI), aimed at ensuring equitable access to technology for all citizens.

At the handover event, held at the MOESYI on June 2, Acting Chief Education Officer, Terry-Ann Thomas-Gayle, spoke to the significance of the initiative.

“This is another step forward in our TRENDing, Transforming Education for National Development. e-Learning Jamaica continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that no student or community member is excluded from technological progress. With these 400 laptops now in the hands of the JLS, our libraries will be better positioned to serve communities, particularly in enhancing literacy and numeracy in schools,” she said.

The JLS operates a network of 109 public libraries across the island, serving as vital access points for academic research, digital literacy, lifelong learning, and social inclusion.

These libraries play a crucial role in providing equitable access to information and technology for diverse groups, including students and senior citizens.

The JLS is aiming for a target of 800 units, and these 400 new devices account for 50 per cent of its immediate technology upgrade needs.

Director General of the JLS, Maureen Thompson, thanked e-Learning Jamaica for this latest donation.

“These devices will significantly boost our ICT capabilities and help us better serve the evolving needs of 21st century users. As our libraries continue to transform, this contribution ensures that digital progress remains a national priority,” she said.

She pointed out that these developments are crucial to closing the digital divide and guaranteeing that Jamaicans in every parish have modern reliable access to the tools and information needed to thrive in a digital economy.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of e-Learning Jamaica, Andrew Lee, said the agency is proud to provide these additional 200 laptops to the JLS.

“Public libraries are essential pillars of access and opportunity in Jamaica. This partnership helps us advance our mission to equip every public institution with the necessary technology to support education, research, and digital connectivity,” he asserted.

With half of its current technology goals achieved, the JLS is actively pursuing public-private collaborations to acquire an additional 400 laptops and to upgrade its wide area network (WAN) infrastructure, further enhancing digital access.

The last major upgrade to the JLS’s technology infrastructure was in 2016, through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries Initiative, which saw the deployment of 800 desktop computers, wireless access points, and staff training, marking a notable milestone in the modernisation of Jamaica’s libraries.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) is reminding schools across the country about the importance of adhering to the Interim Guidelines for Beverages in Schools.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), the Education Ministry implemented guidelines, which came into effect January 1, 2019.

They serve as a vital tool for promoting student health by encouraging the provision of nutritious beverage options until the formal National School Nutrition Policy and Standards are formally approved and implemented.

In a recent bulletin, the MOESYI reiterated the need to reduce sugar consumption among students and to foster lifelong healthy habits.

To support this initiative, the MOHW has established a Voluntary Registry of Compliant Beverages, which provides a vetted list of beverage options that meet the interim standards.

This registry aims to assist school administrators, food service providers, parents, and other stakeholders in making informed choices when procuring drinks for students.

A key element of the guidelines is ensuring beverage compliance.

Beverages are deemed compliant if they are unsweetened or if sweetened, contain no more than 2.5 grams of total sugar per 100 millilitres (equivalent to 6 grams per 240-millilitre serving).

The Bulletin said members of staff at schools are advised to verify labels and documentation carefully during procurement.

It also noted that once the National School Nutrition Policy is fully adopted, beverages containing artificial sweeteners will no longer be allowed.

The 2025 Voluntary Reference List, which includes beverages registered in accordance with the interim standards, is intended to facilitate better decision-making among school canteen operators and purchasing committees.

The Ministry encourages all stakeholders to utilise this resource to create a healthier nutrition environment in schools.

For further information or assistance, schools and stakeholders can contact the School Feeding Unit at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information at 876-967-7934-9.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has welcomed assistance from the Council for Creative Education (CCE), to strengthen mathematics instruction.

The CCE is a pioneering research organisation based in Finland, committed to redefining education through creativity and innovation.

Addressing the opening of a three-day National Mathematics Workshop, which commenced on Tuesday (May 27), at The Mico University College, Dr. Morris Dixon noted that Jamaica is experiencing a “crisis of mathematics”.

The workshop is being led by CCE Director, Heramb Kulkarni, in collaboration with The Mico University College and the Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation.

Dr. Morris Dixon shared that only 60 per cent of students were proficient or highly proficient in the 2024 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination, and at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, only 33.4 per cent of students received a passing grade in mathematics.

“I’m hoping that, through this, you will write to me and give me some solutions or policy-based solutions. Many of you are experimenting in really very interesting ways and you’re seeing results. We need to know about that,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

She encouraged the 60 teachers who will be benefiting from the workshop to share the knowledge with their colleagues.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation, Christine Gore, told JIS News that the Foundation is committed to supporting every transformational opportunity that presents itself.

“Our main focus is really early-childhood education because that is the most effective investment in education. But we can’t ignore the older children, and so we have become involved in scholarships to university, at-risk youth programmes and, more recently, remedial education,” she explained.

Mrs. Gore reasoned that Jamaica shines on the track, on the stage, and in tourism and it is now time for the country to shine in education, particularly in mathematics.

“It’s 60 teachers, but we’re now talking about a way of recording the classes and putting them on a website, so that more teachers can access it. We also want to ensure that we support these 60 teachers when they go back into their classroom. So, I’ve asked Mico and CCE Finland to develop a system to continue to support them and monitor them when they go back into the classroom,” she said.

Mrs. Gore further noted that she has asked them to devise a system of assessing the teachers’ performance, so that rewards can be offered to those who are the most innovative and most effective in spreading the knowledge in their schools and communities.

For his part, President of The Mico University College, Dr. Asburn Pinnock, said the institution’s mandate is to ensure that it trains competent mathematics teachers for Jamaica.

“We realise the importance of mathematics to the development of our people and the development of our nation. There’s a close alignment or link between the mastery of mathematics and economic development because this is a basis for the key professions in commerce, engineering and medicine,” Dr. Pinnock said.

He pointed out that mathematics must remain high on the agenda of subjects for which educators receive continuous training.

“One of the greatest challenges we have, though, is to reduce the anxiety level or the fear of mathematics. Persons are willing to say that I can’t do maths, but they are embarrassed to say I can’t read. I want that embarrassment to also cover mathematics,” Dr. Pinnock said.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has hailed the country’s educators as “activators of potential”.

“It does not matter how many classrooms we build or how many tablets we distribute, because without the educator, education stalls. The educator is the activator of potential; the educator is the conscience of the classroom. The educator is the one who takes policy and breathes life into it,” he said.

Dr. Holness was addressing the ceremony for the presentation of the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education held on Wednesday (May 28) on the lawns of Jamaica House.

A total of 79 deserving educators were recognised during the biennial awards ceremony – 39 for 2023 and 40 for 2024.

Instituted in 2005, the medal is given to an educator who has served for a minimum of 15 years, displayed exceptional service in the teaching profession and has shown evidence of community involvement, innovation and creativity in service.

“This award is a statement, a clear national declaration that says you matter. Your service matters. Your commitment counts. Your legacy is very much real,” Dr. Holness said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister noted that progress continues to be made in the implementation of the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission (JETC) report, prioritising literacy, numeracy and the implementation of increased nutritional and transportation support.

“The transformation that we are seeking is to get the greatest utility out of the significant education budget that we spend, so that we can produce Jamaicans who are aligned to our economic interests, who are pro-social and pro-growth in their outlook, in their mentality and in their attitudes,” he said.

He noted that the aim is to prepare Jamaican students to be able to participate confidently in the 21st century.

“We want our students to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Singaporean students, with the South Korean students, with the Chinese students, with the Trinidadian students, with the American students. So, we have a lot of work to do, but I know we are up to the task because we have the educators as exemplified here who are committed, competent and capable,” he noted.

Dr. Holness reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every Jamaican child has access to high-quality education.

“We will continue to invest in teacher development, support school leaders and modernise education infrastructure. My Administration will continue to expand pathways from school to work, from training to industry and from classroom to leadership,” he declared.

Scores of persons gathered at the Celebration Church in Portmore, St. Catherine, on Wednesday (May 29) for prayer and worship as they asked for God’s blessings for the nation’s children and their families.

The National Day of Prayer was organised by the National Child Month Committee (NCMC) as part of activities in observance of Child Month in May.

In attendance were children from various institutions in St. Catherine, who were joined by members of the NCMC, Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, church groups, parents, teachers and other stakeholders.

Pastor Sean Williams of the Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston, who gave the keynote address, called on Jamaicans to value every child, lift them up and ensure that they are always protected.

He said that the church must lead the way in protecting children and not designate that responsibility to others.

Chair of the NCMC, Nicole Patrick Shaw, in her remarks, noted National Day of Prayer was designed to create a platform “that allows us as a nation to pause, acknowledge the power of prayer, and seek divine intervention for our urgent needs, especially those of our children”.

“As a faith-based nation, prayer is deeply entrenched in our culture, reflected even in the scripting of our national anthem. Prayer is more than a ritual; it is an act of hope, a declaration of faith and our rallying cry for justice, protection, and healing,” she declared.

Mrs. Patrick Shaw said that this year’s Child Month theme: ‘Act Now! Stand Against Child Abuse and Exploitation’ is not just a gentle suggestion, it is a call for urgent action.

She noted that too often persons have remained silent or looked the other way in the face of abuse of children.

“Today, we are reminded that standing against abuse begins on our knees in prayer. But prayer must be coupled with action,” she said.

Mrs. Patrick Shaw called on Jamaicans to become “earthly defenders” of children, advocating for safe spaces, accountability, and healing within families.

She urged Jamaicans to work together, transcending differences, to create an environment where every child can grow in peace, dignity, and love.

The service was punctuated with intercessory prayers offered by the Archbishop of Kingston, the Most Rev. Kenneth Richards, representing the Jamaica Council of Churches; Bishop Garfield Daley of Faith Apostolic Ministries; NCMC Chair Emeritus, Dr. Pauline Mullings; Senior Director in the Children and Adolescent Division of the Ministry, Hyacinth Blair; Assistant Chief Education Officer, Guidance and Counselling Unit, Kennecy Davidson; and Evangelist Joy Thomas, from  Celebration Church Jamaica.

Chief Executive Officer of the CPFSA, Laurette Adams-Thomas, read the opening scripture.

The National Day of Prayer was the penultimate activity on the 2025 Child Month calendar.

The observance ends on Friday, May 30 with the distribution of care packages to vulnerable children and their families at the Pentecostal Gospel 111 Windward Road, Kingston.

The ceremony for the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence (PMNYAE) for 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, on the lawns of Jamaica House, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Since its inception in 1998, the PMNYAE has been a platform where many young Jamaicans, aged 15 to 29, are recognised for demonstrating exceptional achievement and dedication to national development.

Acting Senior Director in the Youth and Adolescent Policy Division of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI), Yanique Williams, said that 134 entries were submitted, from which 88 nominees were shortlisted for final interview across 15 categories.

These categories highlight the diverse talents and contributions of the nominees. They include Academics, Agriculture and Agro-Processing, Arts and Culture, Entrepreneurship/Social Entrepreneurship, Environmental Protection, Innovation in Science and Technology, Journalism/E-Journalism, Music, Nation-Building (Volunteerism), National Leadership, New Media (Social Media/YouTubers/Bloggers/Vloggers), Sports, Youth Development, Special Abilities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

There is also the Prime Minister’s Special Award for Excellence. This is bestowed on an individual or an organisation that has excelled exceptionally in their field of work or study worthy of national recognition, and embodying the true meaning of resilience, innovation and excellence.

Ms. Williams told JIS News that in the move to promote inclusivity and recognise a broader range of talents, the 2024 awards introduced two new categories: Special Abilities and TVET.

“These additions reflect the selection committee’s commitment to acknowledging the varied pathways through which young Jamaicans excel and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.

“The Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence not only celebrate individual achievement but also seeks to inspire a culture of self-discipline, humility, and community service among Jamaica’s youth,” Ms. Williams said.

More than 1,800 guests, including youth representatives, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, nominees, well-wishers, and key stakeholders from across the country are expected to attend this prestigious event.