The smart labs at Anchovy Primary School in St. James and Unity Primary School in Westmoreland, which were destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October, are to be re-established.

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and Digicel Foundation on Thursday (May 14) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to rebuild the facilities under the Smart Lab Programme.

Addressing the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kasan Troupe, said that collectively, more than 2,400 students and approximately 120 teachers will benefit from the labs.

She shared that both schools will be provided with 24 new devices, a Mimio Board as well as student and teacher furniture.

“They will get locks for the computers to ensure that they are safe and, of course, the training will continue to ensure the teachers can use the devices to the benefit of the students,” she said.

Dr. Troupe expressed gratitude to Digicel Foundation for being a consistent partner of the Ministry.

“We got some damage in our schools pursuant to the passage of the hurricane and Digicel came back to our rescue. They visited these institutions and they have said, we are going to reinvest in these institutions,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Digicel Foundation, Charmaine Daniels, commended the institutions for how well they utilised the labs.

“It was a no-brainer for us to put back labs there, because we know that you’re good custodians of the investment,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Troupe said the Ministry is revising its equipment protocol to reduce damage in the event of natural disasters.

“We actually give specific instructions about what to move, how to move, where to pack and how to cover. So that protocol is already in place. Of course, we’ll update,” she said.

Additionally, she shared that infrastructure is being reconstructed with resilience in mind.

“We are guided by new standards. So, our building standards are different and also how we place our labs. So, in this case, where they are upstairs, we’re taking it downstairs,” she said.

Global educational publishing company, Macmillan Education, in partnership with Kingston Bookshop, has donated 4,000 textbooks valued $6 million to schools affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The books were officially presented to the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information during a handover ceremony at the National Education Trust (NET), Caenwood Centre in Kingston, on Friday (May 15).

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry, Senator the Hon. Marlon Morgan, expressed gratitude to the donors, emphasising the importance of partnership in advancing education across Jamaica.

“Literacy is the foundation of education. If you have a solid foundation, you’re able to build on top of that… and that’s what we seek to do as a Ministry,” he said.

Senator Morgan urged the students to be good stewards of the textbooks as they work to expand their knowledge, strengthen literacy skills, and build a brighter future through education.

Macmillan Education Caribbean Sales Manager, Deborah Brearley, noted that the company has maintained a strong relationship with Jamaica for more than 70 years.

“Jamaica holds a very special place in our hearts and in our business. This long-standing relationship is built on trust, shared purpose and a deep commitment to education as a driver of opportunity and growth,” she said.

Ms. Brearley explained that the donation of books is intended to help restore learning continuity, close resource gaps, and support both educators and students in their recovery.

“We believe strongly that our role goes beyond publishing educational content. It’s about standing with our partners, especially in moments of difficulty, and supporting the long-term strength and resilience of the education system,” she stated.

Among the beneficiary institutions is Broadleaf Primary School in Manchester. Principal, Eaton McNamee, expressed sincere gratitude for the timely support.

“These books are more than just paper and ink. They are tools that will open doors, spark curiosity and strengthen the foundation of learning for our students. In a time when resources matter more than ever, your partnership reminds us that education is a shared responsibility and that our children’s future is worth investing in,” Mr. McNamee said.

Student, Shameena Grant, pledged to make full use of the books, noting that they will not remain idle on the shelves.

“They will be read, questioned and used to build a stronger foundation for us as learners,” she said.

For her part, NET Executive Director, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, said the agency was pleased to facilitate the donation, noting its significance for communities where electricity and internet service have yet to be restored.

“It means they still have the capacity to learn, to engage with material that is critical for their brain development, their grasp of concepts and their application of knowledge,” she said.

In expressing gratitude to the donors, Mrs. Harris-Ghartey emphasised that partnerships are critical to advancing education.

“Education is not a government alone undertaking. It is something that everybody has to invest in, because we all have to live in this society,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Director of Strategy and Innovation at Kingston Bookshop, Shauna Fuller-Clarke, underscored the vital role of books in supporting recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“The textbooks get students back to learning and the storybooks give a child somewhere else to go in the world,” she said.

 

Mrs. Fuller-Clarke advised that Kingston Bookshop has placed donation boxes in its retail stores to collect books from the public in support of schools in western Jamaica.

“We did a needs analysis sometime last year and we’re finalising plans to support one or two schools in the west in a more substantial way, because we believe recovery is not a single moment. It’s a sustained commitment,” she stated.

Buff Bay Primary School, in Portland, is winner of the 2026 Portland Maths Quiz Competition.

The four challengers from Buff Bay faced off against Norwich Primary School in a neck-and-neck battle, separated by just a few points in the end. The final, as well as the third-place playoff, took place at the Social Development Commission’s Portland Office on May 7.

It is Buff Bay Primary’s first time winning the competition. The champion quizzers, the second and third-place teams, their coaches, and other outstanding challengers were all feted with an array of trophies and exciting prizes from sponsors.

Buff Bay Primary’s Coach, Jody-Ann Thomas, told JIS News that it took “hard work and dedication” to claim the win.

Ms. Thomas said that the experience was not just a competitive one but also the contest provided several other benefits to the young participants.

“It also improved how they collaborate with each other and all of that. So, it’s not only just about writing down the answer. As the judges would have said, it is about thinking critically and with reasoning,” she explained.

Cluster-based Mathematics Specialist for Region 2, President of the Norwich Community Development Committee and an Organiser of the competition, Suzette Simpson McNeil, conveyed congratulations to the winning team.

“We are really happy for them [and] for all the teams that made it this far. It has been a long couple of weeks [and] it’s really a wonderful blessing to be here,” Mrs. Simpson McNeil said.

The competition was launched on February 6 with a total of 30 schools – the most entries ever received since it began in 2017 in the Port Antonio area.

“We thought that when we saw the numbers for mathematics for the region, we thought we should not just stick to Port Antonio, but just to enlarge it to the other communities in Portland,” Mrs. Simpson McNeil pointed out.

The 30 Primary-level institutions that took on the challenge hail from both Eastern and Western Portland. For next year, organisers are looking to extend the competition to include high schools.

Mrs. Simpson McNeil also informed that the quiz revealed areas in which students were having challenges with mathematics, and certain misconceptions.

“And what the teachers, and what we have identified to them is that they were not familiar with doing many reasoning tasks, and so we want to fix that. We’re going to continue this progression because coming out of the match, we met with the teachers in West Portland and they decided that they want to form a little group and to do some item writing, which is a plus,” the Maths Specialist said.

“The work continues because we’re going to be going into the schools, school by school, looking at the weaknesses. We want to meet with the teachers, let them know where their school is at and what intervention they can do in school and what we can do from this summer to going into the new school year because we want to fix it,” she added.

Social Development Commission (SDC) Parish Manager for Portland, Karl Coke, said: “We recognise that there’s a gap in mathematics right across the parish of Portland, so hosting a competition like this allows the Ministry of Education to identify those gaps and see where we can work towards fixing it going forward.”

The competition is implemented by the Portland SDC in partnership with the Norwich CDC and the Portland Parish Development Committee.

Mr. Coke said that in addition to expanding the Maths Quiz competition, the agency is looking to establish a public speaking and poster competition for schools in the parish.

He thanked the sponsors for their support of the Maths Quiz Competition, hailing the community spirit that was displayed.

These included Members of Parliament for Portland Western and Eastern, Hon. Daryl Vaz and Isat Buchanan; Mayor of Port Antonio, Paul Thompson; Jamaica Teachers’ Association Cooperative Credit Union; Bookzone; Anchovy Hardware; Ramtulla Supercentre; Essies Variety Store; Soshavel Variety Store; Bayview Eco Resort and Spa; DK Decorations and more; Portland Parish Development Committee; Boundbrook Tyre Shop; and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Young boys from across St. Thomas, Portland, and St. Mary were encouraged to embrace their potential and pursue purposeful lives during the third staging of the Eastern Sons Boy Power Summit, held on May 14 at Bath Primary School under the theme ‘Today’s Learners… Tomorrow’s Leaders’.

The initiative, conceptualised in St. Thomas and spearheaded by Programme Coordinator, Jody Brown, continues to provide a platform for mentorship, leadership development, and personal growth for boys.

Hosted with support from the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, the summit featured motivational presentations, hands-on activities, government agency booths, and community engagement – all aimed at empowering young males and reinforcing their value within society.

Delivering the keynote address, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Marlon Morgan, commended the organisers for sustaining the initiative over the past three years.

“This boys symposium is a good initiative. It is one that, as a Ministry, we encourage [and] support… because affirming our boys, helping to develop and instruct them in the way they should go… are important because our boys will go on to become the men and leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

Senator Morgan noted that as young women continue to excel and make their mark in society, it is equally important for boys to be equipped to become responsible and supportive partners and leaders.

He further urged the students not to allow their rural location to limit their ambitions or confidence.

“Not because you are out in rural Jamaica… means that you are any less than or any less in terms of potential than your peers anywhere else in Jamaica,” Senator Morgan said

“As long as you put your shoulder to the wheel, apply yourself, listen to what your teacher says, follow the instructions, and be diligent in doing your schoolwork, you too can build character and go on to be a good version of yourself as a young adult and later into adulthood,” he added.

The Parliamentary Secretary further encouraged the boys to remain curious and actively explore their interests and talents.

“Consider what it is that you are interested in, what it is that you have natural talents and aptitude for and explore, because you are at that age where you are developing perspectives, you are developing character, you are developing your interests,” Senator Morgan stated.

Children are being encouraged to build emotional resilience and speak about their mental health, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness expands its effort to provide psychosocial support in schools across the island.

This call was made by Team Lead for the Ministry’s Mobile Mental Health Service, Dr. Judith Leiba-Thomas, during the Ministry’s Wellness Day: Child Conversation event, held at Spot Valley High School in St. James, on May 15 to commemorate National Children’s Day.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and other government agencies.

Addressing students at the function, Dr. Leiba-Thomas underscored the importance of mental and emotional well-being, noting that it is just as critical as physical health.

“That’s why we go around and we try to blend into as many schools as we can, so that persons will see us and accept the fact that mental health is important,” she said.

Dr. Leiba-Thomas explained that the Mobile Mental Health Service, also known as the Wellness Express, is the first initiative of its kind in Jamaica and was designed to provide children with safe and private spaces to discuss emotional or psychological challenges.

“The Wellness Express is very unique, and we go around and give children an opportunity to come and talk to us privately if they’re suffering or if they just want to discuss something,” Dr. Leiba-Thomas shared.

She further pointed out that Spot Valley High School was specially selected to host the wellness celebration because of the institution’s strong partnership with the initiative.

Dr. Leiba-Thomas highlighted the collaborative effort behind the initiative, noting that the Ministries of Health and Wellness; Education, Skills, Youth and Information, and Labour and Social Security have been working together to strengthen mental health support systems for children, “and we are very proud to be part of this collaboration”.

Noting this year’s National Children’s Day focus on mental wellness, Dr. Leiba-Thomas encouraged students to develop “stronger minds” to secure a brighter future.

“There’s a big word for stronger minds called resilience… . It means the ability to bounce back,” she explained.

The Wellness Day: Child Conversation event formed part of activities commemorating National Children’s Day and focused on promoting mental, emotional and behavioural wellness among students.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, has reaffirmed the Government’s firm commitment to strengthening Jamaica’s early childhood sector through increased investment, expanded infrastructure, and greater access to trained teachers.

Speaking during the opening ceremony for the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) seventh annual Professional Development Institute (PDI), held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James on Monday (May 18), Ms. Crawford emphasised that the sector continues to receive significant attention because of its critical role in national development.

She noted that approximately $30.8 billion, representing 19.5 per cent of the Ministry’s recurrent budget of $196.7 billion, has been allocated to the early childhood sector, which serves children from birth to eight years old.

“This represents a foundational investment in Jamaica’s human capital pipeline, not a marginal allocation. It reflects a deliberate policy commitment to strengthening access, quality staffing, training, maintenance support and caregiver development across the sector,” the State Minister outlined.

Ms. Crawford further indicated that the Government is committed to ensuring that every institution registered with the ECC and holding a permit to operate has access to trained teachers, in accordance with the standards outlined in the Early Childhood Act.

She advised that 108 teachers have already been approved for the early childhood sector, noting that the Ministry is now awaiting details from the ECC to determine where additional staffing support is required.

The State Minister further outlined that approximately 81,000 learners in centrally led schools and in lower primary grades one to three are currently benefiting from the guidance of trained teachers.

“Therefore, more learners are now having access to a trained teacher in approximately 500 infant schools and our 766 primary-level institutions,” she pointed out.

Ms. Crawford also highlighted the role of private early-childhood institutions, noting that approximately 24,000 learners in fully private schools are likewise benefiting from exposure to trained teachers.

Additionally, she said the Ministry continues to provide approximately $10 million annually in professional development scholarships to assist untrained practitioners in upgrading their qualifications through programmes managed by the ECC.

Meanwhile, Ms. Crawford stated that despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, ongoing rebuilding efforts will create opportunities for further expansion within the early childhood sector.

“One good that will come from our rebuilding efforts is that for every one of our primary schools that has the space to accommodate infant departments, those will be constructed there,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Crawford commended the ECC for its continued work in enhancing operational standards and strengthening the delivery of early-childhood education islandwide.

The four day conference, being held from May 18 to 21 under the theme ‘Making Rights Real, Reclaiming General Comment 7’, brings together educators, policymakers, development partners, and stakeholders to examine and strengthen children’s rights and development in the early years.

The ECC’s annual Professional Development Institute serves as one of the agency’s flagship training and engagement initiatives, designed to improve the quality of care, teaching, and administration within the early childhood sector.

A 26 member committee has been appointed to evaluate Jamaica’s early-childhood policies, programmes, and implementation levels using the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Early Childhood Care and Education–Progress Assessment Tool for Transformation (ECCE PATT).

Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, told JIS News that the diagnostic tool was launched on April 28, and the committee convened its first meeting on May 12.

The committee members are:
• Principal of St. Paul’s United Infant School, Nicholas Johnson
• Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Margaret Chin
• Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Winsome Gordon
• Head of Early Childhood Education Department, Shortwood Teachers’ College, Julene McLaughlin
• National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) President, Stewart Jacobs
• Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, Programme Manager, Roberta Ellis
• UNICEF Jamaica Education Specialist, Dr. Rebecca Tortello
• Child Advocate and National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison
• Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, Chief Executive Officer, Wilford Heaven
• Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation STEM Administrator, Dhira-Mae Brown-Douglas
• Director, Social Security, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Suzette Morris
• Chief Executive Officer, Barita Investments, Ramone Small-Ferguson
• Manager, Policy, Research and Project Management, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Racquel Artwell
• Senior Director, Agency Liaison and Monitoring Division, Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Desrene Williams-Taylor
• National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) Chief Executive Officer, Kaysia Kerr
• Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Education Specialist, Romane Sohan
• Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) Statistician, Research, Design and Evaluation Division, Yanique Cameron
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) North America and the Caribbean Vice President, Dr. Asiya Foster
• Senior Manager, Social Development, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Mona Sue-Ho
• Ministry of Health and Wellness Programme Development Officer, Family Health, Dr. Kemisha Shaw Kelly
• National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL), Camielle Michael-Patterson
• Chief Executive Officer of Christel House Jamaica, Taneshia Stoney Dryden
• Pro Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies, Mona, Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee
• Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (Children’s Affairs Policy Division) Senior Director, Hyacinth Blair
• Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Executive Director, Dr. Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes
• Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Research Manager, Shauna-Kay Williston-Hudson.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Williams Singh noted that leads have been appointed for four subcommittees, each representing one of the main pillars of ECCE PATT.

For Governance and Policy, ECC’s Senior Director, Regulation and Monitoring, Dr. Tracy-Ann Morgan-Smith has been selected.

ECC Manager of Early Childhood Development Assessment Services, Louri-Ann Robotham, has been appointed to lead the pillar on Access and Participation.

For Quality and Relevance, ECC Senior Director for Sector Support Services, Simone Ellis Dixon, will take the lead while ECC Manager, Early Childhood Development Training and Development, Nicole Morgan, will have responsibility for Personnel.

For the pillar on Quality and Relevance, ECC Senior Director for Sector Support Services, Simone Ellis Dixon, will take the lead. Meanwhile, ECC Manager for Early Childhood Development Training and Development, Nicole Morgan, will have responsibility for the Personnel pillar.

“All the committees for the four major pillars have met to start the process of analysing where we are in terms of the rating for the work being done and what further needs to be done,” Mrs. Williams-Singh said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has expressed confidence that the administrative challenges at the HEART/NSTA Trust will be resolved under new leadership.

During Wednesday’s (May 6) Post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House, the Minister officially introduced attorney-at-law, Camille Facey, as the institution’s new Chair.

Dr. Morris Dixon noted that the leadership change aligns with efforts to streamline operations, particularly addressing lecturer availability and inconsistent programme start dates.

She emphasised that these improvements are critical as the HEART/NSTA Trust expands its tuition free offerings up to Level 5.

“We have been looking at that, and we have to make it a lot more streamlined and very easy for you to know when courses are going to start, and have the application process be a lot smoother and simpler. All of that is the purview of HEART… at the administrative level. What we’re asking the Board to do is to make sure that that is, in fact, the case,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

The Minister further emphasised that Mrs. Facey’s governance experience, along with her leadership at the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), will help bridge the gap between training and industry needs.

She noted that this expertise will guide the development of course offerings up to Level 5 – equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, ensuring that graduates are equipped to meet the specific demands of the private sector.

“They need to know where the world is going, what courses they should do, what skills they need for the future… so the private sector is going to be very important,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

She maintained that in addressing the administrative issues at HEART, the aim is to provide students with clearer guidance and stronger support.

The Minister added that the goal is to ensure students registering online receive clear guidance on the most suitable courses, enabling them to earn and effectively provide for their families.

Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, is urging parents to maintain a balanced and responsible approach to technology use in the home, warning against over-reliance on devices as a substitute for engagement.

“We’ve learned, we’ve watched the data, and we understand that some of our children are around too much technology, especially at home, where they are on the tablets and the phones,” she said in an interview with JIS News at a Read Across Jamaica Day event at Brompton Primary School in St. Elizabeth on Tuesday (May 5).

She pointed to research indicating that excessive screen time at an early age can be detrimental to development.

“Children 0 to 2 should not be on any device. They should not be watching television. They should not be on a phone,” the Minister stated.

“So, parents, if you are looking at getting the brightest future for your child, you can’t use the phone as a babysitter. You have to engage with the children,” she emphasised.

Dr. Morris Dixon said that the Ministry is carefully calibrating its approach to technology in education, ensuring that it serves as a catalyst for progress without undermining essential developmental needs.

“We are learning that technology, no matter how beautiful it is, it is good, but it also has negatives to it, and at the Ministry of Education, we’re working to find that right balance, so that we are able to propel our children forward,” she pointed out.

She outlined ongoing efforts to modernise classrooms through increased access to digital tools and infrastructure, noting that students are responding positively to the interactive learning environments.

“We’re introducing a lot more technology in our schools through our labs and through even having our smart boards in our classrooms. A lot of our children like the technology, and they like to engage with it, and we’re doing more of that,” she said.

She noted that these tools are being carefully integrated to support, not replace, traditional teaching methods.

“Technology is important but technology alone is not a solution. Technology is a tool,” Dr. Morris Dixon said, noting that these tools are most effective when used to deepen understanding and bring lessons to life for students.

“It’s not technology for technology’s sake. It’s to supplement the learning. So, if a teacher is teaching a topic, they can go and they can show a video on that particular topic, and it enriches the entire class. That’s how we see it working,” she pointed out.

She told JIS News that the Ministry is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) learning assistant designed to support students beyond the classroom.

The initiative is intended to reinforce classroom instruction and strengthen independent learning, she said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has commended teachers islandwide for going above and beyond their call of duty as the nation celebrates Teachers’ Day 2026.

“They deliver more than lessons every day. They are more than just your teacher. Given what we have in our society, in our communities, in our families, they have to take on additional roles. They are family members. They have done so with so much pride and joy, and they just never forget about our children,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

She was speaking on Wednesday (May 6), at a Post-Cabinet Press Briefing held at Jamaica House in Kingston.

The Minister extended special commendations to teachers in western Jamaica who, despite sustaining personal losses during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, have remained steadfast in their commitment for their students.

“Yesterday I spoke to some teachers who still have not been able to recover. They are still struggling but they are going to school every single day and doing the best for their children who, too, are traumatised. And so, we thank them for that work on this Teachers’ Day, and we continue to honour them,” Dr. Morris Dixon shared.

She maintained that respecting and supporting teachers remains a priority, as they are vital in the Ministry’s mandate of establishing a strong academic foundation for students to reach their full potential.

“I again want to just say Happy Teachers’ Day to all our teachers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the work that you continue to do and the service that you provide to our country,” the Education Minister added.

Teachers’ Day is being observed as part of Education Week 2026, running from May 3 to 9.