Zurie Cousins and Neeraj Sahukar of Creative Kids Learning Academy in Kingston have emerged as the top girl and boy, respectively, for the 2026 sitting of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

The outstanding pair will begin the next chapter of their academic journey at Campion College this September.

Both students have been awarded the Guardian Group Foundation Scholarship, which will support them throughout their five-year tenure at high school.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has announced that 32 Government scholarships have been awarded to top-performing students across Jamaica.

The recipients of named Government scholarships are Shomari Harrison of Harbour View Primary, who was awarded the Marcus Garvey Scholarship; Jasonnia Beadle of Park Mountain Primary and Infant and Nathaniel Brooks of Southborough Primary, who received the JAG Smith Scholarship and the George William Gordon Scholarship, respectively; and Nathanael Stewart of White Horses Primary and Infant School, who earned the Paul Bogle Scholarship.

Government of Jamaica scholarships were also granted to 14 boys and 14 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, and Gabriel Clark.

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 and Jahneal Kennedy.

Twelve of the 14 boys earned placements at Campion College, while one will be attending Wolmer’s Boys School and another will matriculate to Herbert Morrison Technical High School.

Eight of the girls were placed at Campion College, two at Immaculate Conception High, two at Glenmuir High, and one each at Manchester High and deCarteret College.

Other outstanding PEP students have also been awarded scholarships by several organisations, including the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Massy Gas Products Limited, Petrojam, Seprod, Jamaica Energy Partners, LASCO, Musson and Alva B. Johnson.

School administrators are being reminded to use only the approved standardised student medical report form for all new registrations and support measures aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of children.

The directive comes from the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) in its latest bulletin, which says the standardised form, developed jointly with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) in 2020, remains the only approved document for the medical assessment of students entering schools.

The Ministry noted that some institutions have altered the clinical requirements of the form, a practice that is not permitted, and is urging schools to refrain from altering, removing or adding any clinical requirements.

While institutions may add their official logo or insignia to the document, the Ministry emphasised that its content and prescribed medical requirements must remain unchanged.

According to the Ministry, consistent use of the approved document is essential for maintaining reliable student health records and supporting national health surveillance and student welfare initiatives.

Additionally, school administrators are being called on to strengthen efforts to protect Jamaica’s immunisation programme by ensuring that students’ vaccination records are current.

The Ministry pointed out that Jamaica’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) has successfully eliminated diseases such as polio, measles and rubella locally. However, it warns that the country’s progress remains vulnerable because of the growing threat of imported vaccine-preventable diseases and gaps in vaccination coverage.

Schools are, therefore, encouraged to achieve and maintain at least 95 per cent vaccination coverage to support herd immunity.

Administrators are also being asked to verify that students’ immunisation records are up to date in keeping with the National Schedule, encourage parents and guardians to have children receive all recommended vaccines, and work closely with Parish Health Departments to facilitate school-based vaccination activities and other public health interventions.

The Ministry is also reminding school administrators to continue enforcing all applicable health clearance requirements for student entry and attendance in accordance with standardised guidelines and public health regulations.

Some 88 young Jamaicans are set to benefit from a new industry-led apprenticeship initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s hospitality workforce and creating a direct pathway from training to employment.

The Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme (HAP), a partnership between the HEART/NSTA Trust and Sandals Corporate University (SCU), was officially launched during a ceremony at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in St. Ann, on July 13, under the theme ‘Bridging Training and Industry Excellence’.

The inaugural cohort, drawn from St. Ann, St. Mary and Westmoreland, will receive structured training in food and beverage restaurant service management, housekeeping operations, culinary arts and hotel property maintenance before being placed at Sandals resorts in St. Ann and Westmoreland for hands-on industry experience.

Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Taniesha Ingleton, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to equipping young Jamaicans with the practical skills and workplace experience needed to meet the demands of one of the country’s most important economic sectors.

“This programme has been designed to provide young Jamaicans, including NEET individuals (not in education, employment or training) and recent graduates of the Sixth Form Pathways Programme, with structured work-based training in hospitality apprenticeship,” she said.

Dr. Ingleton noted that tourism continues to play a critical role in Jamaica’s economy, pointing out that the country welcomed a record 4.15 million visitors in 2024, generating approximately US$4.3 billion in earnings.

“The world continues to choose Jamaica, but when visitors choose Jamaica they’re not only choosing our beaches, our food, our music or our landscape. They are choosing our people,” she said.

The Managing Director emphasised that apprenticeship provides a practical solution to youth unemployment by moving participants “from potential to productivity, from interest to competence and from training to real employment”.

For her part , Deputy Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Cheryl McLaughlin, said months of planning and collaboration between the two organisations laid the foundation for the programme’s successful launch.

She underscored that participants were recruited following an extensive selection process and have already completed orientation sessions covering workplace health and safety, sexual harassment prevention, financial management, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.

Dr. McLaughlin said the apprentices will first undergo intensive employability skills training, including Team Jamaica Member certification, CPR and First Aid, and Hotel Guest Practitioner instruction before transitioning to occupational skills training, leading to nationally recognised National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J) certification.

“This programme represents much more than training, it represents opportunity. It demonstrates what can happen when industry and training institutions work together with a common purpose, and that is to build a pipeline of skilled talent that can contribute immediately to service excellence while at the same time creating meaningful livelihoods for our people,” she said.

Senior Corporate Director at Sandals Corporate University, Dr. Luz Longsworth, described the initiative as a landmark partnership that will help prepare a new generation of hospitality professionals capable of competing globally.

“Today is not just launching another training initiative. Today is about opportunity. Today is about partnership. Today is about transforming your potential into achievement and today is about ensuring that Jamaica continues to produce world-class hospitality professionals who can compete anywhere in the world,” she said.

The Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the HEART/NSTA Trust and Sandals Corporate University to strengthen workforce development by aligning training with the evolving needs of Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Public schools across Jamaica will receive an additional $757.5 million in funding for the upcoming 2026/27 academic year.

The disclosure was made by Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, during Wednesday’s (July 15) Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.

“On average, every public school is getting 55 per cent more funding from the Ministry of Education. That’s a significant increase and you’ll see the increase is actually higher for primary schools and special needs institutions,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon explained that the Ministry consolidated the existing grants into an operational grant and then added the increase.

She pointed out that school administrators have the flexibility to decide how the funds are used based on defined parameters.

“Twenty-five per cent of the amount given should be used towards administration. Repair and maintenance is 20 per cent of the grant. There is also learning environments, so getting material in for teaching and learning or working on new initiatives around teaching and learning, 30 per cent of the grant can be used on that,” she shared.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) has an allocation of 15 per cent, while 10 per cent of the grant is to be used for student welfare.

“The grants have already started going out. Every public school, in the second week of June, would have gotten their first tranche and the first tranche is 30 per cent. The second tranche goes out the first week in September and then the third tranche goes out in December,” the Minister said, adding that the second and third tranches are 15 and 20 per cent, respectively.

Dr. Morris Dixon shared that the increased subvention varies based on population and other factors such as the number of students enrolled on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

In a document obtained from the Ministry, it said annual allocations for operations now range from approximately $1 million to $4.8 million.

Under the current funding model, infant schools received an operational grant of $500,000 for the first 150 students, plus $2,700 per additional student, as well as a $150,000 maintenance grant, resulting in a minimum annual allocation of $650,000 to cover the operations of the school.

“The new framework increases the minimum allocation to $1,000,000 and will provide an additional $25,942,900 in operational grant support for the 64 stand-alone infant schools, increasing total funding from $46,657,100 to $72,600,000,” the document read in part.

At the primary level, the minimum allocation will be $1 million, up from $650,000.

Under the current model, special educational institutions are funded based on the grade level of the students.

Infant and primary students are funded similarly at $500,000 for the first 150 students plus $2,700 per additional student, while secondary students are funded at $17,000 per student with a maintenance grant of $150,000, resulting in a minimum annual allocation of $650,000.

“The proposed framework increases the minimum allocation to $3,500,000 and the maximum to $9,500,000 and will increase operational grant support for 13 special educational institutions from $25,145,800 to $50,536,800 over two years,” the document said.

At the secondary level, the minimum annual allocation of $2.385 million for operations will be increased to $7 million.

Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle (right), shares a photo opportunity with (back row from left) Jodi Ann Mullings, Vice Principal, St. Mary’s College, Annmarie James; Akeem Mitchell; Christine Howell; Chief Executive Officer ,e-Learning Jamaica, Andrew Lee; Oral Gayle; Community Relations Education Officer, Kereen Reid; Monique Davis-Porter; and Principal, St Mary’s College, Ryan Williams. Seated is student, St Mary’s College, Nathaniel Perkins.  The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information introduced the IXL Interactive Online Learning Platform as a targeted intervention to support 1,625 grade seven students experiencing challenges in English Language and Mathematics across 56 National School Learning and Intervention Plan (NSLIP) secondary schools. Funded through the Jamaica Education Project (JEP) and supported by e-Learning Jamaica Limited through the provision of tablets, the initiative seeks to improve student outcomes through technology-enabled learning. St Mary’s College has emerged as a leading school in the use of the platform recording more than 10,500 questions answered and over 200 skills mastered.

The importance of school gardens in strengthening food security, healthy living and environmental sustainability was underscored during the recently held National School Garden Grand Exhibition 2026.

Held at the José Martí Technical High School in St. Catherine, under the theme ‘From the Farm to the Table’, the exhibition showcased vibrant displays from participating institutions across Jamaica, highlighting the contribution of school gardens to nutrition and agricultural education, and recognition of outstanding projects.

Scores of schools received top awards, while several regions were recognised for their commitment to promoting agriculture and food production among students.

Regional Director in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Sophia Forbes-Hall, said the theme served as a powerful reminder of the need to promote food security, healthy nutrition, environmental sustainability and self-reliance among young people.

She noted that the project has grown beyond gardening by contributing to school feeding programmes, encouraging healthy eating habits, strengthening environmental awareness, promoting entrepreneurship and supporting Jamaica’s national food security and sustainable development goals.

The Regional Director commended principals, teachers, education officers, judges, sponsors and community partners for their commitment to the initiative while paying special tribute to the students, whose enthusiasm and creativity continue to drive the programme’s success.

Presenting the Chief Judge’s Report, Assistant Chief Education Officer, Dr. Olivine Evans, said this year’s exhibition recognised 67 schools that have successfully sustained their gardens.

She said that the project was expanded to include infant schools, primary schools, special education institutions and learning centres, making the competition more inclusive.

She noted that judging extended beyond the exhibition itself, with more than 70 judges from the Ministry, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Heart Foundation of Jamaica and other partners conducting on-site assessments at participating schools.

She said the judges assessed school gardens based on community involvement, garden quality, environmental management, biodiversity and curriculum integration. Displays at the exhibition were evaluated for visual appeal, originality, relevance to the theme and overall impact, while participating schools were also required to prepare creative dishes using produce from their gardens.

These culinary entries were judged on the use of garden produce, creativity, nutritional value, culinary quality and sustainability.

Dr. Evans highlighted several strengths observed during the adjudication process, including the high level of student interest, strong community involvement, well-maintained gardens, adherence to safety standards and the effective use of resources provided to schools.

She expressed gratitude to the judges, teachers, parents, students and partner organisations, including the World Food Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Sagicor, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), for supporting the initiative.

The new special education diagnostic centre being built by the Government in Portland is expected to open in September.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, made the disclosure on Tuesday (July 7) at the Rotary Club of St. Andrew’s 60th Installation Ceremony held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

The facility, which is being set up at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), will eliminate the need for families in eastern Jamaica to travel to Kingston for developmental and educational assessments.

“People who live in Portland [and] St. Mary don’t have to come to Kingston to get their child assessed. They can now do it in Portland. They don’t have to travel this long distance to receive basic support for their children,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

“This is a part of our policy to have more diagnostic centres across the country,” she added.

Up to December 2024, construction of two other diagnostic facilities was completed at Church Teachers’ College in Manchester and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in St. James.

Relating her own experience as a parent of a special needs child, and the challenges faced, the Education Minister said that the Government is making the necessary steps to improve access to support, including policy measures.

Senator Morris Dixon said that the Ministry is also looking at increasing enrolment in special education training to adequately staff the facilities.

“I need people in there who can administer the diagnostic test and provide the reports, and there is a shortage of that in Jamaica. So, building the structure is one thing, staffing it is the other concern, and so we are intervening there in the supply of professional talent,” she noted.

She informed that scholarships are available for studies in areas such as educational psychology, clinical psychology, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

There are also funding options for therapeutic care for children with special needs under the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Barry Wint Scholarship programme.

“So, if any of you have any young people thinking about where they want to go in life, given this data that we have globally, that there are going to be more special needs children that need care, this is an area I would hope you would encourage young people to go in, and there are scholarships that are available for them,” Dr. Morris said.

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.