JIS: Sixth-form student of Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Oshnel Bryan, is the 2017 winner of the Access to Information (ATI) National High School Essay Competition.

 

His took home the top cash prize of $50,000 at the awards ceremony held on April 3 at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston.

 

Fifth-form student at the William Knibb Memorial High in Trelawny, Nastacia Linton, who placed second, received $30,000, while sixth-form student of the Wolmer’s Girls’ School, Juzel Lloyd, took home $20,000 for placing third.  The top-three students also received trophies and certificates of participation.

 

A total of 22 students from 16 urban and rural high schools participated in the sixth staging of the annual competition organised by the Access to Information Unit and the Access to Information Advisory Stakeholder Committee in the Office of the Prime Minister.

 

Entrants were asked to write on the topic ‘The Access to Information Act is Playing a Significant Role in Improving Accountability and Transparency in Jamaica’.

 

The students explored the impact of the ATI Act on tackling corruption as well as how it affects industrial relations; human rights; the economy; the environment; and social issues, such as health and education.

 

Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education Youth and Information, Paul-Davey Ashley, who delivered the main address at the awards ceremony, endorsed the theme, which, he said “provides a very good reference point for our students to research the Act and increase their awareness for how it can help them and others to become more informed citizens”.

 

“I am sure that as you gathered information on the provisions of the Act and the rights, you would have developed a greater understanding and appreciation for the efforts that have been made to provide greater transparency and accountability in public life,” he added.

 

Senior Legal Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Shereika Hemmings-Allison said she is heartened by the enthusiasm of the students, who, through their essays, demonstrated a sincere interest in national affairs.

 

“Through their work, the students continue to articulate their understanding of how Jamaica can progress as a country and give suggestions on strengthening our democracy while promoting a more prosperous nation founded on the principles of transparency and accountability,” she said.

 

She informed that for the next staging of the competition, efforts will be made to increase the prizes, through collaboration with other institutions.

 

CAPTION: Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education Youth and Information, Paul-Davey Ashley (left) presents a plaque to 2017 winner of the Access to Information (ATI) National High School Essay Competition, sixth form student of the Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Oshnel Bryan (2nd right) at the awards ceremony held on April 4 at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston. Sharing the moment are Senior Legal Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Shereika Hemmings-Allison (2nd left); and Communication Studies teacher at the Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Karen Gobern.

JIS: The Government will be launching the second phase of the Tablets in Schools programme in September.

 

This was disclosed by State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, as he delivered greetings at e-Learning Jamaica’s Technology Day at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, on Tuesday, April 4.

 

He said that an extensive review of the programme was undertaken to inform the way forward.

 

“We have seen what worked and what did not work. It will be very different, but much more effective, especially in helping us to administer a new curriculum and to help our teachers to do what they love to do, which is teach,” Mr Green said.

 

Under the one-year pilot project, which began in 2014,  computer tablets were distributed to some 24,000 students and 1,200 teachers in six pre-primary, 13 primary, five all-age and junior high, and 12 high schools; one teachers’ college, and one special education institution.

 

The project involves collaboration between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information; and the Science, Energy and Technology Ministry and is being implemented by e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited and the Universal Service Fund (USF).

 

Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley said under the second phase of the programme, the various security concerns will be addressed.

 

“We will be putting in place the mechanism to prevent access to inappropriate content,” he pointed out.

 

Meanwhile, Dr Wheatley welcomed the hosting of Technology Day 2017.

 

The initiative mainly targeted students preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

 

“It is intended for you to also have fun as you participate in the quizzes and games from the e-Learning Jamaica team, you view the exhibits and see live demonstrations from groups such as the Jamaica College robotics team,” Dr Wheatley said.

 

Students attending the Technology Day received assistance in preparing for CSEC using e-Learning Jamaica’s VLE, which is an Internet-based learning tool, and from experts in mathematics, English and science.

 

Among the many exciting activities featured at the event were animated video creation, 3D printing, social media marketing, cybersecurity, website development, graphic designing, mobile app development, robotics and blogging.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, delivers greetings at the e-Learning Jamaica Technology Day held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston on April 4.

JIS: The Allman Hill Primary and Junior High School in Above Rocks, St. Andrew, now has an Infant Department complete with amenities for early-childhood growth and development.

 

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information provided more than $2.1 million towards the project, which involved refurbishing an existing structure on the school’s compound to create classroom space, internal and external play areas and bathrooms.

 

The project also included installation of play equipment, and fencing of the play area; demolition and construction of a new water trough; construction of a retaining wall, rain harvest system and soakaway to absorb surface water; and painting of internal and external walls.

 

The department, which opened for the start of the 2016/17 in September 2016, accommodates 36 students.

 

Delivering the main address at the official opening ceremony on March 29, portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, said the project is in keeping with measures to strengthen the early-childhood sector.

 

This involves, where possible, the merger of clusters of basic schools as well as subsuming some into infant departments of primary schools. This is being done according to factors such as the number of students at each institution, and the needs of the geographical areas, among other considerations.

 

In addition, the Ministry, through the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) has been working to improve operational standards of institutions across the island.

 

The ECC has embarked on a series of regional certification fairs to get the schools to adhere to the 12 operating standards for the certification.

 

These standards relate to staffing; development and educational programmes; interactions and relationships with children; physical environment; indoor and outdoor equipment; health; nutrition; safety; child rights, child protection and equality; parent and stakeholder participation; administration and finance.

 

Principal of Allman Hill Primary and Junior High School, Georgia Henry, thanked the Ministry and other stakeholders who contributed towards the project.

 

She said the community has welcomed the Infant Department and “a number of parents came to register students dressed in their uniforms in September 2015 before the actual opening of the department”.

 

CAPTION: Education Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (2nd right), cuts the ribbon to open the Infant Department of the Allman Hill Primary and Junior High School in Above Rocks, St. Andrew, on March 29. Sharing the moment (from left) are Chairman for the school’s Board of Management, Rev. Christine Gooden Benguche; Principal, Georgia Henry; and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew West Rural, Juliet Cuthbert Flynn.

JIS: The Early Childhood Commission’s (ECC) basic-school certification programme, now under way islandwide, is ensuring that all early-childhood institutions (ECIs) meet the 12 Operational Standards set by that body.

 

The three-year engagement of the new Board of Commissioners commenced in May 2016, targeting 300 ECIs to be certified by 2019.

 

The Standards cover a wide range of areas. These include Staffing; Developmental/Educational Programmes; Interactions and Relationships with Children; the Physical Environment; Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Furnishing and Supplies; Health; Nutrition; Safety; Child Rights, Child Protection and Equality; Interactions with Parents and Community Members; Administration; and Finance.

 

Staffing – stipulates the need for institutions’ staff to have or acquire the characteristics, training, knowledge, skills, and attitude to help children achieve their full potential.

Developmental/Educational Programmes – mandates institutions to implement comprehensive programmes designed to meet children’s language, physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, spiritual, cultural and school-readiness needs.

Interactions and Relationships with Children – emphasises the need for staff to have or acquire the characteristics, training, knowledge, skills and attitude to promote positive behaviours in children and reduce those deemed difficult and challenging.

Physical Environment – underscores that institutions must create environments meeting building, health and safety stipulations for children, and provide adequate space to facilitate their development and that of the staff.

Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Furnishing and Supplies – stipulates that institutions provide safe child-friendly equipment and furnishings that promote the optimal development of children.

Health – emphasises that institutions provide physical facilities, policies, programmes and procedures promoting healthy lifestyles, while safeguarding children and staff against illnesses.

Nutrition – mandates institutions to provide nutritious meals and model good nutritional practices for children in their care as well as their families.

Safety – highlights the importance of ECIs providing safe indoor and outdoor environments for children, staff, stakeholders and visitors.

Child Rights, Child Protection and Equality – mandates institutions to uphold children’s rights and protect them from harm, while ensuring they have equal access to services.

Interactions with Parents and Community Members – requires institutions’ management and staff to establish and maintain healthy relationships with parents, caregivers, family members and the wider community.

Administration – emphasises the importance of establishing a sound management structure that guarantees effective operations. These are expected to be guided by established plans, policies, procedures and programmes that ensure child, family and staff well-being.

Finance – institutions are required to have sound financial practices by adhering to standard accounting principles.

 

 

The ECC’s Acting Executive Director, Karlene Degrasse-Deslandes, says the Commission’s certification fairs have been pivotal in assisting practitioners, operators, parents and other stakeholders to better understand the Standards.

 

To date, three fairs have been held at Jamaica College in St. Andrew; Port Antonio, Portland; and Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.

 

Emphasis, she points out, has been placed on highlighting the performance criteria under each Standard.

 

The fairs have been complemented by several training sessions staged for a number of practitioners, including money management workshops.

 

“We have increased our drive to ensure that the Standards are user-friendly, so that persons can understand what they need to do to get their institutions certified,” the ECC Acting Executive Director points out.

 

Mrs. Degrasse-Deslandes reiterates that the overall undertaking aims to ensure that, over the long term, “we have positive child outcomes”.

 

“We are speaking of a Jamaican child that can compete with any child anywhere in the world, at any time. So, we will tailor our interventions and our interactions, where necessary. Our children must be afforded the same start in order for them to get to where we need them to reach,” she adds.

 

The ECC’s Chairperson, Trisha Williams-Singh, maintains that certification of the minimum 300 schools being targeted is “achievable”.

 

“We are pretty confident because of the plans that have been put in place. We have undertaken capacity building within the Early Childhood Commission. We have also looked at capacity building for the practitioners and deepening relationships with our partners. I am, therefore, confident that a minimum of 300 schools will be certified by this Board by 2019,” she adds.

 

CAPTION: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, along with Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Chairperson, Trisha Williams-Singh (centre), and Director of stakeholder partner, One Jamaica Foundation, Ann-Marie Vaz, at the ECC’s inaugural certification fair at Jamaica College in St. Andrew in August 2016.

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, will be presented with the inaugural ‘Man of The Decade in Education Award’ by the Jamaica College (JC) Old Boys Association of New York, for his achievements in the education sector.

 

The presentation will be made at the association’s annual fundraising event scheduled for April 8 at the SVA Theatre in Manhattan.

 

Senator Reid, who is the former principal of JC, will deliver the keynote address at the function, which will be held under the patronage of Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks.

 

Rebranded as The Griffin Awards, the event was changed from its traditional dinner-dance format, to a modern awards structure, which celebrates the achievements of Jamaicans in the arts, community services, education and technology.

 

A feature of the evening’s function will be the screening of Jamaica’s iconic film ‘The Harder They Come’ to mark its 45th anniversary.

 

The association will recognise the central role played in the film by two JC alumni, Perry Henzell and Winston Stona, who will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

 

The Technology Innovation award will be presented to Excelsior High School alum Andrew Ewen, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Kobi Company.

 

The company invented and developed the award-winning Kobi robot, which is the world’s first autonomous, 3-in-1 lawn and garden care device.

 

President of the JC Old Boys Association of New York, Michael McDonald, said the body is “very pleased to recognise the achievements of such a stellar group of alumni and accomplished Jamaicans”.

 

“It’s particularly joyful for our association to recognise Senator Reid, a brilliant education leader. His service in engineering the turnaround at JC has our eternal gratitude and utmost respect,” he added.

 

While in New York, Senator Reid will address members of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations at a special breakfast on April 9.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator, the Hon. Ruel Reid.

JIS: The Government of Japan has provided grants totalling approximately $20 million (US$165,497) to fund expansion of the Epworth Primary School in St. Ann and Zion Hill Primary School in Manchester.

 

The provision of $10 million (US$82,715) to Epworth Primary School will be used to construct two additional classrooms that will enhance the teaching and learning environment at the institution.

 

Zion Hill Primary School’s funding of $10 million (US$82,782) will be used to carry out extensive safety, security and sanitation works, and retrofit an empty room for use as an ICT resource room.

 

Both allocations were provided under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and initiated through a partnership forged between the National Education Trust (NET) and the Japanese Embassy in Jamaica.

 

The NET will act as Project Manager for both projects, which are slated to commence in April 2017.

 

The agreements formalising the provisions were signed by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid; Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Masanori Nakano; Principal, Epworth Primary School, Kirk Spencer; and Principal, Zion Hill Primary, Simone Green-Johnson, on March 30 at the Ambassador’s official residence in St. Andrew.

 

In his remarks, Senator Reid thanked the Japanese Government for its continued support of Jamaica’s development, particularly in education.

 

He said the projects will greatly benefit students, teachers and other stakeholders at the schools.

 

Senator Reid noted that partnerships are critical for the growth of the education sector and encouraged other stakeholders to come on board and support and develop the sector.

 

In his charge to students, Senator Reid urged them to take their education seriously.

 

“We want you to understand that all of us are investing in you, because we want a better Jamaica and we want a world-class highly trained and skilled workforce,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, Ambassador Nakano expressed hope that the new projects will serve the needs of all teachers and students, who will benefit from and improved school environment with better resources and infrastructure as well as additional classrooms.

 

He said the support for Jamaica’s education sector is critical, as education is the key to develop a nation and people and leads to a society with less antisocial behaviour.

 

Director, Donor and Partnership Management, NET, Latoya Harris, said the projects aim to transform the schools into safe, conducive, teaching and learning spaces for students and teachers.

 

“This is a tremendous gift and we need you to take care of the plant, as it is your own home, because that is where you spend the vast majority of your days, and it is an investment in you, your community and this country,” she said.

 

Both school principals expressed appreciation for the grants, noting that these will greatly assist with enhancing the delivery of education to the children at their institutions.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information (left), Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left); Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Masanori Nakano (second left); Principal, Epworth Primary School, Kirk Spencer; and student, Epworth Primary School, Samuel Henry, display a symbolic cheque during a signing ceremony at the Ambassador’s Paddington Terrace residence in St. Andrew on March 30. The $10 million (US$82,715) to the institution will be used to construct two additional classrooms. The money has been provided under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects and initiated through a partnership forged between the National Education Trust (NET) and the Japanese Embassy in Jamaica.

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says former Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Edward Seaga, must be commended for establishing the HEART Trust/NTA.

 

Addressing the agency’s Long Service & Retiring Motivational Seminar at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James, on March 28, Senator Reid said no one is more deserving of praise for positively changing the lives of many youngsters than Mr. Seaga.

 

“As HEART stands on the cusp of marking its 35th-year milestone, your history is intricately linked with the efforts of an outstanding Jamaican, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga,” Senator Reid told the gathering.

 

“There is no doubt that despite his many accolades in music, governance, culture, finance and politics, one of Mr. Seaga’s most significant and enduring national creations is the HEART Trust/NTA, which he conceptualised in 1982,” the Minister said.

 

Senator Reid pointed out that HEART was the answer to Mr. Seaga’s passionate mission to find a way to reduce unemployment, particularly among the youth, and to provide a lasting solution to a lack of training and development, especially for those who had fallen outside of the formal system.

 

“Although we have come a long way, HEART still has significant work to do to reach out to the underserved youth all across the country, and to ensure that industry and investors are able to tap into a pool of skilled workers who are job-ready, not only for entry-level positions, but for high-end jobs,” he said.

 

Senator Reid said Mr. Seaga achieved his vision through a strong partnership with employers and by piloting the relevant legislation, the HEART Act of 1982, through the Parliament.

 

Employers, he noted, bought into Mr. Seaga’s vision by providing the financial base for the establishment and maintenance of HEART through a three per cent payroll levy, to create a continuous pool of funds to support human capacity development.

 

“Thirty-five years later, the Jamaican employers are still committed to this partnership and continue to fund this agency to meet the human resource needs of the nation,” the Minister said.

 

The HEART Trust/NTA was established to govern the development and delivery of technical vocational education and training (TVET) in Jamaica.

 

CAPTION: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid.

JIS: The Mocho Primary and Infant School in Clarendon has initiated a robust literacy programme that is geared at encouraging reading among students as well as ensuring that the institution remains a leader in the field.

 

Among the measures implemented are the Journalism Club; Pen Pal club; and the Read Aloud system, where teachers source books and loan to students on a weekly basis.

 

Parents are also encouraged to assist children in reading the publications.

 

The school also publishes ‘The Beacon’, which provides an opportunity for students to showcase their writing and photography skills. The information provided in the publication, is also shared with the wider community.

 

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Principal of the institution, Tina Reid, says she needed her students “to be on par with other children in the urban area”.

 

“The Journalism Club has sparked their interest and exposed them as well as enhanced their literacy levels,” she says.

 

She adds that the Beacon has allowed students to become columnists, writing on various issues, taking photos and writing their own captions.

 

The Beacon has become, outside of the regular Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, an avenue to provide crucial information from the school.

 

The school has enjoyed high literacy results over the past decade, ranging from the high 90s to up to 100 per cent a year ago.

 

There was, however, a slight decline in the last Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), which the school administrators have attributed to social issues affecting families in the deep rural communities, which resulted in absenteeism among some students.

 

With support from the business community and political representatives, an initiative called ‘Perfect Friday’ and ‘Perfect Month Plan’ were implemented. Under this programme, children are rewarded for good attendance.

 

 

Principal of the Mocho Primary and Infant School, in Clarendon, Tina Reid (3rd right), and Vice Principal, Curdell Bryan-Thomas (3rd left), stand with other staff members at the rural institution, which is enjoying high success in literacy.

Also, the recently launched school garden, which will support a breakfast programme, also serves as a boost for increased attendance.

 

Starting at the entrance of the school gate are ‘Word Walls’, which highlight important words, and teachers are encouraged to include them in their curricular activities.

 

All the classes are equipped with Reading Corners, showcasing reading materials for different levels, covering a range of interests. Students are also encouraged to join the Jamaica Library Service mobile library.

 

Other initiatives used to promote literacy include the Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) timetabled activity that allows students to read for 15 minutes daily after lunch.

 

“It is an initiative that encourages reading right across the school. Academic staff, ancillary staff, vendors, the student body; right after the lunchtime period, (we) go into DEAR time, and everyone knows it is time; everyone has something reading,” the Principal states.

 

They also have the Language Experience Approach (LEA.), where teachers and students utilise interactive techniques and hands-on materials to encourage reading and storytelling.

 

“We don’t tell them that they are wrong. It is there so that you develop on their experiences, and also improve their language,” Ms. Reid adds.

 

A Reading Fair is held every June, where other primary schools are invited to share in the school’s experiences, and participate in the various literacy competitions.

 

Meanwhile, the Principal states that she was extremely pleased with the initiatives that have been implemented, while noting that this has pushed her to work harder.

 

“So, it is a motivation factor for me – when I look at my teachers, and see how enthused they are, and the students feeding from that enthusiasm, I go home and think about what I can do next to enhance my students’, and my teachers’ interest in delivering the curriculum,” Miss Reid tells JIS News.

 

She informs that the vision is for the school to become Information Communication Technology (ICT)-centred.

 

She states that while not many students have the computer gadgets, focus is placed on technology-aided lessons, where the teachers take their personal tablets to school “to ensure that our students are exposed”.

 

For past student, James Palmer, who now goes to Clarendon College, the Journalism Club, has helped him to become a better reader and assisted in improving his language arts skills.

Head Girl of Mocho Primary, Zackiah Buckley, who is also the Secretary of the Club, says it continues to help many students, and it has helped her to become a writer.

 

Peer Counsellor at the school, Jerome Greyson, says he is excited with the opportunity being provided by the Pen Pal Club to learn new words.

 

“It is very educational to everybody, and I thank Miss Tina Reid, for everything she has done to help us to become stars in the future, and Mrs. Bryan-Thomas and other teachers who have reached out to struggling readers,” the student says.

 

Reading teacher, Curdell Bryan-Thomas, who is also Vice Principal, states that “I am enjoying it, and the students themselves are enjoying it. The lessons are very engaging; student-centred, and of high interest to struggling readers.”

 

 

Grade-6 teacher at the Mocho Primary and Infant School, in Clarendon, Shonique Hall (3rd right), with top winners in the school’s recent Annual Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) Quiz Competition, held at the institution.

 

CAPTION: Reading teacher and Vice Principal, at the Mocho Primary and Infant School, Curdell Bryan-Thomas (centre), demonstrates to Peer Counsellor, Jerome Greyson (right), and Chairman of the school Board, Ainsworth Kelly (left), an area of the school which promotes the institution’s strong literacy programme.

JIS: Principal of the 123-year-old St. Joseph’s Infant School, located in downtown Kingston, Rosemarie Clarke, is seeking support to enable the institution to attain the Early Childhood Commission’s (ECC) 12 operating standards.

 

It has, so far, attained 77 per cent of the requirements for certification, but now needs help to meet the other 23 per cent, which covers building renovation, hiring nine additional teachers and preparation of documentation.

 

“I started on the journey, but there are things that we cannot realistically attain for certification on our own… . We need help with the building…we need a kitchen,” Mrs. Clarke told JIS News.

 

The schoolteacher-pupil ratio is at one trained teacher to 30 students, which is above the ECC’s staffing requirement of one trained teacher and one caregiver for every 20 students.

 

Acting Director of Regulations and Monitoring at the ECC, Norda Seymour-Hall, said the Commission is aware of the challenges faced by the school and is in dialogue with some major partners to see how they can assist.

 

The ECC’s 12 Standards for the Operation, Management and Administration of Early Childhood Institutions cover the areas of staffing; development and educational programmes; interactions and relationships with children; physical environment; indoor and outdoor equipment; health; nutrition; safety; child rights, child protection and equality; parent and stakeholder participation; administration and finance. St. Joseph’s Infant is a Roman Catholic school established in 1894 and has 296 children on roll.

 

The school has won gold and silver medals in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Festival of Arts in dance, music, speech and drama, and has also produced winners in the Caribbean Poison Information Network’s annual visual and creative arts competitions.

 

The students are also participants in the Tablets in Schools programme.

 

CAPTION: The 123-year-old St. Joseph’s Infant School, located in downtown Kingston.