Grants totalling US$740,000 have been awarded to 54 grantees by American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) to support several initiatives in the island.

They include education, music, sports, homeless, health, skills training, gender-based violence, arts, coding, veterinary care, environmental protection, school-feeding and peace-building programmes, among others.

Grant certificates were presented to the grantees at the AFJ’s awards ceremony, held at the United States Embassy in Kingston, on Tuesday (April 8).

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, who spoke at the ceremony, hailed the AFJ for its legacy of generosity and heart for service.

“For over four decades, the American Friends of Jamaica have remained a pillar of support for our country. Their legacy is etched into the walls of our hospitals, the classrooms of our schools and the hearts of our people.

Whether responding to hurricanes, expanding educational opportunities or modernising public health infrastructure, the AFJ has consistently shown up for us,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon underscored that the Government is committed to accelerating transformation, but cannot walk the journey alone.

“We need partners like the AFJ who understand that sustainable development and transformation in education are built on trust, collaboration and long-term investment,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to the leadership of AFJ, noting that they have done more than fundraise.

“You have organised a movement of care. You have translated affection for Jamaica into measurable impact. You have made philanthropy strategic, smart and compassionate, and I ask you to please continue to be a friend of Jamaica,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

In her remarks, AFJ President, Wendy Hart, said her team is committed to building strong partnerships with Jamaicans.

“We are at our strongest when government, funders and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) can work together. It is also important that we all continue to prioritise impact. There are many needs and there are always funding constraints, so we need to ensure that we are making wise and informed choices,” she said.

For her part, Charge d’Affaires, Amy Tachco, commended the AFJ for its unwavering commitment to advancing health, education and community development across Jamaica.

“Your generosity and dedication continue to make a profound impact, ensuring essential resources reach those who need them most. The AFJ grants awarded today represent more than just financial support. They symbolise hope, opportunity and a vision for stronger and healthier communities across Jamaica,” Ms. Tachco said.

She also acknowledged the grantees for their dedication to community outreach and upliftment.

“The AFJ is a shining example of what is possible when people unite around a common mission. When communities collaborate, they harness their diverse strengths and talents and leave a powerful imprint on their societies,” she said.

The AFJ was established in 1982 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation to assist Jamaican charities in the areas of education, healthcare and human and economic development.

The long-awaited national school nutrition policy was considered and approved by Cabinet on Monday (April 7) and will be tabled in the Houses of Parliament as a White Paper.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, made the disclosure while addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (April 9) at Jamaica House.

“This policy has been in train for a long time and I’m so very happy… that we’re finally at this point where we can bring to Jamaica the national school nutrition policy, which will change the way our children get their meals in schools and the entire apparatus around school nutrition,” she said.

Turning to other matters, the Minister informed that the Government will be rolling out its $1.5-billion quarterly road-patching programme in May.

“The initiative will target our most critical road corridors. The programme will prioritise main thoroughfares and high-trafficked corridors, community and parish roads in need of urgent repairs,” she informed.
Work under the programme will be undertaken in phases.

It aims to improve road conditions and ensure safer, smoother travel for motorists and pedestrians across the island.

Students at Avondale Preparatory School in Kingston, Kahleel Hutchinson and Khalif Wright, emerged top performers in the first month of the Wizdom CRM Virtual Stock Market Game, hosted in collaboration with the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE).

On enrolment, each student was provided with US$10,000 in virtual funds for trading.

Kahleel and Khalif ended the first month with portfolio values of US$10,851 and US$10,292, respectively.

The students were among six who were recognised during an awards ceremony held at the JSE Headquarters on Harbour Street in Kingston, on March 25.

Kahleel thanked his teacher for introducing him to the game, noting that he has been having an enjoyable experience.

“The game is not that difficult once you understand it, because when I first joined, I had no clue what I was doing. I was just clicking on stuff, but after I played for like a week, I understood the game and I just started investing in large companies like Netflix and Tesla,” he said, adding that his strategy was to invest in multiple companies so that he could earn more profit.

Kahleel shared that he has encouraged many of his schoolmates to join the game and even helped a friend to move from last place to seventh.

His advice to students playing the game: “Remember, if it’s going down you sell it; if it’s going up you buy it. Always remember that. One more thing, don’t ever give up and always stay on your routine, because you don’t want to come off that routine and start losing money.”

Meanwhile, Khalif shared that in the early stages of the game, he was in 20th place until he made a big trade which pushed him to second place.

“The impact and experience of the game is good. I thank Wizdom CRM and Jamaica Stock Exchange for the game and I thank my teacher for teaching me how to play the game, but the real thanks goes to my mother who is financial business helper – she helped me with my stocks,” he said.

Some 575 students from 15 primary and preparatory schools across Jamaica were enrolled and trained in early February for the inaugural staging of the year-long competition.

An awards ceremony was held after the first month to boost interest in the game and going forward, awards will be presented quarterly.

The HEART/NSTA Trust has provided skills training for 552,534 young people since 2020, says Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.

“These programmes have opened doors for those who once believed their dreams were out of reach, and with the elimination of tuition fees in 2023, we saw more and more students deciding, ‘let me go to HEART; let me get that skill that I have always wanted’,” Dr. Morris Dixon said, while contributing to the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the Senate, recently.

She pointed out that these skills training programmes highlight that the Learning and Investment for Transformation (LIFT) programme and the Community Action for Rewarding Engagement (CARE) Initiative are important.

The LIFT programme, launched in August 2023, aims to equip students exiting fifth and sixth forms with the skills and mindset needed to properly assimilate into the workforce.

The CARE Initiative is aimed at reaching young people who are unemployed or not enrolled in a training programme.

“Yes, LIFT is 500 students’; yes, CARE is 1,300, but there are over 150,000 students that have gone through HEART after the elimination of fees, but what we have to understand is that there are unique pockets of young people that may have to be reached in a different way,” the Minister said.

Senator Morris Dixon added that the programmes aim to empower the participants so that they can see the world in a different way, pointing out that participants under CARE also benefit from literacy and counselling sessions.

She noted that another cohort will benefit through the LIFT and CARE programmes this year.

“There are many different cohorts that we are trying to reach, and I think we are doing a very good job and there is more to be done, a lot more to be done, and we are going to keep doing it,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, she pointed out that Jamaica’s first ever Cultural Apprenticeship Programme will be launched this year.

She said that pilot programme aims to empower 200 young people with foundational training in creative and business skills through HEART.

“Participants will gain invaluable hands-on experience by working alongside both local and international creatives, including event planners, promoters, entertainers, artisans, sculptors, film-makers and content creators to complete their training. While undergoing this practical apprenticeship, participants will receive a monthly stipend of $69,000 from the Trust,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon invited Members of Parliament to nominate students for this programme.

“It’s important because what it’s saying is that we are looking at different areas that we may not have focused on and providing opportunities for young people in that area. We hear our young people asking for a structured pathway into the creative industry… the Administration has heard our young people and we have delivered for them through this programme,” she said.

She further noted that 300 young people will be engaged through the Expanded Apprenticeship Programme.

“We will be working to improve our apprenticeship programme, because we understand that our young people can learn so much more on the job than in a classroom.As a pilot, 300 young people will participate in a paid apprenticeship where they will earn a stipend, and gain on-the-job experience,” the Minister said.

“We have a 10 per cent portion of the earnings that go to compulsory saving… . We are starting that pilot with the Sandals Corporate University and this will be focused more on construction and hospitality around the tourism industry,” she added.

Senator Morris Dixon also said that a grant of up to $300,000 is provided to HEART/NSTA Trust level-four graduates who are pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related programmes.

The Minister said the Government remains committed to empowering the country’s human capital, especially the nation’s youth, to thrive in a dynamic global economy.

The Government is committed to preparing students to dominate in the field of technology, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe.

“We are not only preparing you for Jamaica. We are not only preparing you to transform your social and economic reality. We are preparing you to dominate on the global stage. Your curriculum has been fortified with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) principles, disposition and context for knowledge,” she said.

Dr. Troupe delivered opening remarks on behalf of Portfolio Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, during Friday’s (March 28) Universal Service Fund (USF) ICT Club Conference, at Jamaica College in St. Andrew.

More than 700 high-school students attended the second annual conference, which was held under the theme ‘The Future of Tech Begins with You’.

The conference was designed to inspire and empower participants by offering exposure to current technological trends and a glimpse into career opportunities within the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

Dr. Troupe shared that the Ministry is continuing its thrust to introduce students to modern technology, advising that more than 5,000 laptops will be distributed to primary schools, and an additional 300 schools will be equipped with broadband Internet by the end of the year.

“You are not just a consumer of technology. What we want you to do is to innovate, to ideate, to create and to dominate. That’s what the future of tech is for Jamaicans,” she said.

She commended USF for building out ICT clubs in schools across Jamaica, underscoring that it provides an enriching environment for students to explore.

“You have a free space in your clubs to experiment, to test, to discuss, to create, to be safe to make errors. In your clubs you learn to lead, you learn to communicate, you learn to problem-solve and that’s what the STEAM agenda is about,” Dr. Troupe said.

For his part, USF Chief Executive Officer, Charlton McFarlane, encouraged students to be bold and courageous and to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them.

“Whether your aspirations lie in development, whether it is in tech, entrepreneurship or engineering, the ICT space is rich with possibilities and we want to make sure that you all have the knowledge and the connections to take full advantage of them,” Mr. McFarlane said.

He added that the USF is dedicated to ensuring that Jamaica’s youngest and brightest minds are equipped with the skills and resources they need to succeed and build a more advanced future.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has introduced a pilot programme in several schools where artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to assist teachers with marking papers.

“We are actually piloting this with some of our schools to see how it works, and the interesting thing is that we at the Ministry can actually see the results real time, so as it marks we can see how the schools are doing, so that’s really one example of how we are already using AI,” Portfolio Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, said.

She gave details while outlining initiatives being undertaken in the education sector, during her contribution to the Appropriation Bill in the Senate, recently.

The Senator added that technology is being used, as much as possible, to make the country’s education system better.

“The global workforce is changing rapidly and AI is at the forefront of that change and Jamaica cannot be left behind. That is why we have had our National Artificial Intelligence Taskforce set up, and it gave us a report and our Ministry of Education is one of the first in the world to have an AI policy in education; that is a big deal. What that says is that we are not afraid of the new technology; we are using it and we are encouraging it,” she said.

The Minister noted, as well, that the HEART/NSTA Trust will be introducing a Prompt Engineering Course.

“That’s like one of the most important courses in AI going forward. This course will train students and public servants in AI tools to give our workforce an opportunity to equip itself to be able to use AI and leverage AI and to work smarter,” she said.

Educator at Immaculate Conception High School in St. Andrew, Shanique Pryce, has been named the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s 2025 Mathematics Teacher of the Year.

She was awarded a cash prize of $100,000, a computer, a trophy and $100,000 for her school.

Ms. Pryce will also be appointed a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for one year.

Sasha Ashley-Kelly from Pleasant Valley Primary School in Clarendon and Kimberly Todd from Westwood High School in Trelawny placed second and third, respectively.

The outstanding teachers, who were chosen from a pool of 51 nominees, were recognised during Monday’s (March 24) awards ceremony at the Caenwood Auditorium in Kingston.

Ms. Pryce said she was honoured and humbled to receive the prestigious award, which was established in 2013.

“This award is not just a reflection of my work, but of the students who challenge me every day, the colleagues who inspire me and the passion we all share for making mathematics come alive in the classroom,” she stated.

Ms. Pryce said her aspiration as a teacher has always been to make mathematics accessible, engaging and relevant, enabling students, regardless of their background or ability, to recognise and appreciate its beauty and significance.

She dedicated the award to her past and present students, encouraging them to continue questioning, exploring and believing in their ability to succeed.

“Thank you for this incredible honour. I am deeply grateful and I will continue to do my best to make a difference one equation, one graph, one student at a time,” Ms. Pryce said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Region One Regional Mathematics Coordinator, Tamika Lodge-Fenton, who gave an overview of the competition, shared that the national team of judges observed significant improvements in mathematics teaching practices.

“Some of the key trends included increased use of mathematical discourse. Teachers actively engaged students by posing purposeful questions that encourage critical thinking – a positive shift in fostering deeper mathematical understanding,” she shared.

Mrs. Lodge-Fenton also informed that there was greater implementation of the ‘5E’ instructional model.

“More teachers effectively incorporated the ‘engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate’ framework embedded in the National Standards Curriculum,” she indicated.

Additionally, an enhanced use of guided questions was observed, as teachers employed strategic questioning techniques to elicit meaningful responses from students, fostering higher-order thinking skills.

The National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL) has launched five innovative programmes and products designed to enhance the leadership capacity of educators and school administrators.

These are ‘Leadership Footprints’, ‘Leadership in Action: A Practical Guide to Transform Schools’, ‘Leadership 360, Financial Leadership and Management in Schools’ and ‘Introduction to School and System Leadership’.

They were unveiled on Thursday (March 20) by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, and NCEL Interim Principal/Director, Keriffe Clark, during the College’s Leadership Day, which was held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters in St. Andrew.

Moderator, Brithney Clarke, who outlined details of each initiative, said the Leadership Footprints programme takes a grassroots approach to leadership development and transformation.

It is intended to engage critical stakeholders in matters impacting the success of schools and the education sector from a leadership perspective.

“Leadership Footprints is designed to create a platform where all stakeholders, regardless of geographical location in Jamaica, are provided with an opportunity to be engaged in leadership discourses and strategies to support school improvements,” Ms. Clarke said.

‘Leadership in Action: A Practical Guide to Transform Schools’ will assist school leaders to effectively transform their institutions into high-performing, inclusive, physically and emotionally safe environments where critical stakeholders thrive.

“This workbook combines frameworks and templates to lead and manage organisational change, design leadership interventions that are contextually relevant, measure impact and sustain effective practices in schools,” Ms. Clarke shared.

The Leadership 360 initiative is designed to provide a holistic view of education transformation and equip pre- and in-service educational leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively exercise greater levels of leadership for a better society.

Ms. Clarke said this initiative will also focus on system and school leadership, community engagement and partnerships and national development.

Financial Leadership and Management in Schools aims to expose participants to critical financial leadership and management principles, equip them with the knowledge and skills to undertake effective financial leadership and management and promote greater levels of financial accountability in schools.

NCEL will also offer an introductory course to school and system leadership.

New teachers will be targeted for this course as NCEL believes they must be engaged in leadership discourses and reflective practices to align themselves within varying school contexts, while responding to the dynamics of an evolving education system.