JIS: Approximately 90 girls and young women from 15 high schools, universities and community colleges across the country competed for attractive prizes at the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day Caribbean ‘Hackathon’ on Thursday (April 27).

 

The all-day event, held at the Spanish Court Hotel’s Worthington Conference Centre in New Kingston, saw the young women creating innovative ICT-based solutions to address social issues such as domestic violence, cyberbullying, sexual assault, child abuse, sustainable development and climate change.

 

Activities include mobile app-building, animation, robotics, digital video production and digital artworks, and web development. Winners received cash prizes, bursaries, and mobile phones, among other things.

 

The Hackathon, organised by a group of women consultants in Jamaica, through a joint partnership between Cotton Tree Consulting Ltd. and Change Makers Development Ltd., took place simultaneously in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, who observed the work of the participants, said the Government fully endorses the initiative.

 

“Women play a critical role in ICT, and I want to take the opportunity to encourage more women to get involved in ICT. It is the new frontier as it relates to economic development, and it is important for women to play a role in this regard,” he told JIS News.

 

He said the Government continues to introduce programmes to encourage Jamaicans to integrate ICT in their daily lives.

 

“Our public Wi-Fi initiative is one such programme, the community access points (CAP) sites, our support for the Tablets in Schools initiative, and programmes targeted at our senior citizens,” he noted.

 

Meanwhile, Principal Consultant for Cotton Tree Consulting, Bridget Lewis, said the daylong ICT Hackathon will give the participants an opportunity to envision themselves not only as users of technology but as creators.

 

“We are saying girls have the ability to occupy this (technology) space,” she pointed out.

 

The Hackathon, held to mark the ITU’s International Girls in ICT Day, aimed to encourage girls to pursue studies and careers in ICT.

 

The annual observance seeks to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider car?eers in the growing field of ICT, enabling technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector.

 

To date, more than 240,000 girls and young women have taken part in more than 7,200 celebrations of International Girls in ICT Day in 160 countries worldwide.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley.

JIS: Starting this September, grade-nine students will be able to study entrepreneurship as part of the school curriculum.

 

This is under the Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) Secondary Early Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) programme, which is a three-year agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Junior Achievement Jamaica.

 

The initiative aims to transform and stimulate students and young adults’ interest in business.

 

Speaking at the launch at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston on Thursday (April 27), Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, said the initiative will create the next generation of entrepreneurs in the country.

 

He noted that the training will offer real-life experiences that will build knowledge, capacity and confidence in young people and assist them in forming their own businesses.

 

Mr. Green said the Ministry has been partnering with Junior Achievement Jamaica since 2009 and has seen the creation of more than 15 programmes islandwide.

 

“We have touched the lives of over 50,000 young people, and we have placed the focus squarely on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and how they can transition into the workplace,” he pointed out.

 

In the meantime, he informed that youth information centres will be transformed into innovation hubs this year.

 

“We are pushing innovation, creativity, social entrepreneurship; we are pushing the next generation of entrepreneurs. That is how we will treat with youth unemployment, and that is how we will bring the prosperity that we all seek,” he said.

 

For his part, USAID Director of the Office of Citizen Security, Andrew Colburn, said at the end of the three-year initiative, approximately 72,000 youth will be impacted with at least 1,900 student businesses being created, which will “enhance the hands-on, experiential learning experience for the students”.

 

He said it will also assist in stimulating existing formal businesses.

 

In her remarks, Project Manager, JACE SEED, Yanique Taylor, said the 14-week programme will be taught by highly trained teachers and volunteers, and will be offered once or twice per week. She said it will also serve disconnected youth between the ages of 13 and 24.

 

Since 2009, Junior Achievement Jamaica has been offering the JACE programme as an after-school activity/club for mainly 10th-13th graders.

 

With USAID’s support, and in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, the expanded format will see the integration of the programme in 168 high schools.

 

The JACE programme features a comprehensive in-class learning curriculum designed to teach the fundamental skills necessary to build successful enterprises as well as the entrepreneurial skills necessary to earn and keep a job in high-growth career industries.

 

Under the initiative, students will be engaged in local and regional events and competitions where they will be able to apply the skills they are learning.

 

Junior Achievement Jamaica helps to prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs that make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (2nd left), enjoys a light moment with (from left): Project Leader, Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) Secondary Early Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) Programme, Yanique Taylor; United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Director of the Office of Citizen Security, Andrew Colburn; and Executive Director, Junior Achievement Jamaica, Alphie Mullings-Aiken. Occasion was the launch of the JACE/SEED initiative at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston Thursday (April 27).

JIS: As the Government pursues partnerships to fund tertiary education, a suggestion for the utilisation of social impact bonds in this undertaking is being supported by members of the private sector.

 

Social impact bonds, which are largely private-sector-driven, were recently proposed in the Upper House by Government Senator Don Wehby.

 

He was responding to a suggestion from Opposition Senator, Wentworth Skeffery, that the Government identify additional options to finance higher education.

 

Therapedic Caribbean Company Limited Director, Aswad Morgan, tells JIS News that he supports the proposal, particularly in light of Jamaica’s small size and financial constraints

 

“The concept has been adopted in a few countries for (some) of these same reasons and has proven to be a success. The private sector’s involvement will help with the big changes that are needed, and they will be able to get some return from it if successful. The private sector will ensure it will be a success,” he adds.

 

Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the online learning portal, EduFocal, Gordon Swaby, also endorses the proposal, noting that if the concept is properly administered it could do well.

 

He, however, emphasises the need for more details on how it will be formulated to enable persons to better grasp the concept.

 

“Generally, any idea that improves access to tertiary education, I fully support. But I would want to see more specifics of what that might look like,” Mr. Swaby states.

 

In his presentation to the Upper House, Senator Wehby explained that a social impact bond is an innovative and emerging financial instrument that leverages private investment to support high-impact social programmes such as funding tertiary education.

 

It enables private investors to provide loan financing to cover the costs associated with programmes over their duration, with a Project Manager overseeing the daily operations.

 

Based on the programmes’ outcomes, investors receive returns from the Government which are allocated through the Project Manager.

 

Senator Wehby noted that this type of endeavour, though relatively new, is a growing investment vehicle in more than 15 countries.

 

These include the United Kingdom, United States and Israel, where the resources generated are primarily channelled into funding tertiary education.

 

Israel’s use of social impact bonds continues to gain traction. The country uses it to assist in stemming the prevalence with which tertiary students drop out of school and are unable to complete their education.

 

“Based on research, this kind of funding vehicle would be suitable for training programmes targeting students who are at risk of becoming unattached youth, because they can’t afford to study at the tertiary level,” Senator Wehby noted.

 

He contended that the potential savings that would be generated by virtue of not having to implement social-intervention initiatives for unattached youths could be used to repay investors if the training programme is successful and the students gain employment.

 

Through partnerships, the country is utilising the bonds to fund and implement an intervention programme across several institutions to alleviate this crucial social problem.

 

CAPTION: Therapedic Caribbean Company Limited Director, Aswad Morgan

JIS:  Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, is encouraging high-school and tertiary students to write a plan for their goals, to expand their horizons and to believe in themselves.

 

Delivering the keynote address at a career symposium for the Career Advancement Programme (CAP) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students at St. Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, on April 26, the State Minister told them that because the world is changing so fast, gone are the days when all bright students automatically go into law and medicine, as these are no longer the highest paying professions.

 

He urged the students to use the Internet to do the necessary research to find out the top-paying professions today.

 

“Some professions that existed five years ago are no longer around… . You have to expand your horizons,” the State Minister urged.

 

Mr. Green told the students that, many times, it was the lack of self-belief that held people back, reminding them that all people were born to be great.

 

“You will have difficulties and setbacks, but those should not stop you,” he said.

 

The State Minister said that many persons are not walking around holding up their heads or being confident.

 

“You make the first impression by how you carry yourself, making eye contact and behaving like you know much more than you know… , That sets you apart from others,” he argued.

 

The students asked Mr. Green several questions, such as his most difficult challenges as a politician, why he went into politics and how politics has affected his life.

 

The symposium was attended by students from Maggoty High, Hampton School, St. Elizabeth Technical High, Bog Walk High, Maud McLeod High, Munro College, Black River High, Christiana High, Portmore Community College, EXED Community College, Aberdeen High and others.

 

CAPTION: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (right), listens to a question from one of the students who attended the CAP and CAPE symposium, held at St. Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, on April 26.

JIS: The Third International Conference on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Caribbean will be held from May 10 to 12 at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St. James.

 

The conference, themed ‘TVET for Sustainable Regional Development’, will be attended by local, regional and international officials of key government ministries and agencies as well as private-sector organisations.

 

The conference was launched during a press briefing at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona Campus in St. Andrew on Wednesday, April 26.

 

In his remarks, Conference Chairman, Professor Halden Morris, said the primary objective of the event was to create an advocacy platform for integrating sustainable principles in regional TVET polices, practices and programmes.

 

“We particularly view this conference as important because it is including broader dynamics of industry in our midst. TVET is about preparing persons to take us to the next level where the workforce is concerned,” he said.

 

Professor Morris informed that the conference specifically seeks to encourage a participatory approach during research presentations, and facilitate a high-tech exposition by industry and commerce stakeholders.

 

“We need to explore TVET innovations for sustainable creative solutions to the challenges that we experience in the Caribbean. We need to move our workforce from the entry-level preparation to advanced-level preparation so we can access economic gains moving forward,” he further stated.

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Lena Buckle-Scott said the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is particularly pleased to be partnering in the conference’s staging.

 

She said the Jamaican education system has long recognised the role of TVET in realising sustainable development.

 

Mrs. Buckle-Scott cited the development of a TVET policy and an integration model, which have been providing a regulatory framework for programme development and sustainability.

 

“The Ministry has commenced the roll-out of a National Standards Curriculum (NSC) which has integrated TVET in early years learning (from) grades one to six. In fact, TVET is integrated at grades one to nine, and it also stands as a discrete discipline at grades seven to nine,” she stated.

 

The Deputy Chief Education Officer noted that all schools offer at least one TVET subject and, further, that there are currently 130 schools offering three or more TVET subjects.

 

She stated that students have the opportunity to sit exit examinations in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) and National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQJ), and City and Guilds.

 

“Another key aspect of our best practices is Resourcing TVET. The Ministry pays in excess of $100 million per year on exam fees for students, and over $150 million has been expended for this year on the provision of equipment for schools under the Rationalisation of TVET resources in schools,” Mrs. Buckle-Scott informed.

 

Meanwhile, she said the Ministry has reviewed the Labour Market Survey to identify new and emerging programmes and, consequently, new subject areas have been introduced.

 

Among these are Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Digital Animation, Printing and Computer Graphics, Call and Contact Centre Operation Level 1, Customer Service Level 1, Food & Drink, Fashion Designing, Floral Arrangement, Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning System Level 2, Renewable Energy, Apiculture, Crop Production and Small ruminants – goat- and sheep-rearing.

 

The conference is being hosted in conjunction with the University of the West Indies; Education Ministry; HEART/Trust NTA; British Council; University of Technology Jamaica; Petroleum Corporation of Trinidad; and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

 

Topics being covered include quality assurance in TVET for youth empowerment; innovation and entrepreneurship propelled by quality TVET for wealth creation; and financing TVET for sustainable global reach.

 

CAPTION: Chairman of the Third Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Caribbean, Professor Halden Morris, addressing Wednesday’s press launch at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus in St. Andrew on Wednesday, April 26. At left is Education Programme Specialist, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Dr. Claude Akpabie.

JIS: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, is calling for the revitalisation of student councils in schools where they are not currently functioning.

 

He noted that student participation, through these councils, is a vital part of the leadership of institutions.

 

“I hope that you are incorporating your students in a real way, and put them at the centre of learning as a partner in the process of building a great institution. Too many leaders give a token response to having students as a vital part of the process,” he said.

 

“Leadership is a critical component in whether an institution rises or falls. Students should be encouraged to take ownership and be made to be part of the leadership of their schools,” Mr. Green added.

 

He was addressing hundreds of principals, vice-principals and heads of departments from schools across the island at an educational leadership and management training session at Mandeville Hotel, Manchester, on April 19.

 

The State Minister told the group that they are among the most important people in the educational matrix, noting that schools rise on the backs of their leaders.

 

“Good leadership makes a significant difference in your lives; the Ministry has recognised this and wants to make your job easier. Leadership is truly about directing, motivating, inspiring and creating an atmosphere where others want to participate to make schools and institutions better,” he pointed out.

 

He urged the members to recognise their weaknesses and deficiencies and take steps to make the necessary improvements.

 

He noted that there were many examples of good leadership throughout the education system, but not enough is being shared.

 

“My hope is that from what you do today, you will share among each other your successes, difficulties and how you are crafting solutions to deal with them. We look externally, but sometimes we have the answers among us. Share and transfer knowledge today so you leave feeling more inspired and better able to lead your institutions,” he urged.

 

The State Minister also pointed to the need to prepare students for the demands of the global labour market.

 

“How many of you are expanding or limiting the horizons of the young people you deal with?” he asked, noting that “now more than ever, we are not training only for Jamaica, because the world is now our complete playground”.

 

Noting that years ago, the tendency was to encourage bright students to do law and medicine, Mr. Green said technical skills are the leading source of jobs today, and these areas are commanding top salaries.

 

As it relates to school maintenance, he informed that significant sums are being allocated for infrastructure works at primary schools. “The allocation for each child has moved from $850 to $2,500,” he pointed out.

 

CAPTION: Principals, vice-principals and heads of departments from schools across the island attend an educational leadership and management training session at the Mandeville Hotel, Manchester, on April 19.

 

JIS: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green, is encouraging students to explore careers in computer-based fields, which can create wealth for them.

 

“There are so many people in Jamaica making millions now and they barely leave their home,” he pointed out.

 

Citing for example the web-based profession of social media manager, he noted that almost every company now has this position, which did not exist five years ago.

 

The state minister was speaking at a career expo hosted by the International University of the Caribbean (IUC) at its Old Hope Road location in St Andrew yesterday.

 

He noted that information is readily available on the Internet on the many career opportunities “so you have no excuse not to know about them”.

 

Green pointed out that there are teachers in Jamaica who are offering English classes online to persons in Japan and China, who are paying for this service in US currency.

 

He advised students, in choosing a career, to find what they are passionate about, what they are good at and love “and see if you can align that what you want to do in life”.  

 

The state minister further advised that writing a five-year plan for their lives can help to jump-start this process.

 

He urged students to believe in themselves, noting that the only way they will be successful at what they do is to have confidence in their abilities.

 

“Confidence makes the difference. Approach life with that self-belief and confidence that, regardless of circumstances, you were born to be great, and you’re going to be great,” he stressed.

 

The state minister noted that persons who have achieved success did not necessarily have easy lives, and not everything went according to plan, but “you have to keep believing that despite the setback and the circumstances, you are going to make it”.

 

He said many Jamaicans from very humble beginnings have gone on to do great things, due to belief in their abilities, and that this greatness is attainable by others.

 

The expo was put on in collaboration with Good Deeds Foundation Jamaica.

 

CAPTION: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green (2nd left), is in light conversation with (from left), President, Good Deeds Foundation Jamaica, Kiddist McCoy; President of the International University of the Caribbean (IUC), Reverend Maitland Evans; and Chief Executive Officer of Patwa Apparel, Heneka Watkis-Porter. Occasion was a career expo hosted by the IUC at its Old Hope Road location in St. Andrew on April 20. (Photo: JIS)