JIS: State Minister in the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence will return this year.

 

Making the announcement during his Sectoral Debate presentation on April 5 in the House of Representatives, Mr. Green said young people will be selected from a list of categories.

 

These include Academics, Youth in Service, Arts in Culture, International Achievement, Leadership and Journalism, among other areas.

 

“We are adding two new areas, which are Science and Technology and Environment and Health,” he noted.

 

In response to the announcement, member of the Jamaica Youth Advisory Council and Attorney-at-Law, Michelle Thomas, said it is remarkable that the Government is celebrating young people who have been doing outstanding work in their communities and in various capacities.

 

“Young people should be celebrated and empowered by the Government. This award would seek to empower them to be torch bearers of good citizenry,” she said.

 

The Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence serves to recognise youth who have excelled and contributed to national development.

 

It also seeks to provide a platform for young people to showcase their achievements in numerous fields.

 

Since the inception of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence in 1998, 165 awards have been conferred.

 

Meanwhile, the State Minister noted that many youth leaders who are making significant contributions never rise to national prominence, despite working tirelessly in their communities.

 

In that regard, he said 55 young people “who have a solid record of community service” will be awarded later this year.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green. (FILE)

JIS: State Minister in the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to help early-childhood institutions (ECIs) in their constituencies to become certified.

 

Making his contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 5, Mr. Green said the MPs should channel some of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to help in this regard.

 

Mr. Green further noted that his Ministry is seeking to form partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as the Rotaract and Kiwanis clubs and other private partners, “to come on board on this drive to certification”.

 

“Already, the Digicel Foundation has pledged $15 million to help five ECIs reach certification in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, St. Catherine, Westmoreland and Hanover,” he said.

 

The State Minister also cited the contribution of the One Jamaica Foundation to the St. Margaret’s Bay Basic School in Portland, adding that the Breds Foundation and Crayons Count are also working to have ECIs in the Greater Treasure Beach area certified.

 

“National Bakery, through their Little Leaders Programme, has (also) committed $70 million towards early-childhood education,” he said

 

“We are far advanced in discussions with Restaurants of Jamaica, owners and operators of Pizza Hut and KFC, with the hope they will provide financing to ensure that 35 ECIs are provided with a hot and nutritious meal,” the State Minister said.

 

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is seeking to certify approximately 300 basic schools by 2019.

 

One hundred institutions, with an enrolment of approximately 5,000 children, are being targeted under the initial certification phase, which commenced last September and is scheduled for completion in August 2017.

 

There are approximately 2,700 early-childhood institutions in operation across the island.

 

CAPTION: State Minister in the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green (third left), interacts with (from left): Dammi Hannigan, Dominique Parkes and Drew Stewart of the St. Margaret’s Basic School in Portland on January 26. Occasion was a ceremony organised by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) to announce the certification of the school.

JIS: The Government has been increasing the number of young persons gaining work and professional development, according to Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green.

 

The State Minister is reporting that under the Graduate Work Experience Programme (GWEP), 600 youth will gain placements this year, up from the 503 last year, and the 300 in 2015.

 

Mr. Green was making his contribution to the 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on April 5.

 

The GWEP provides work experience to tertiary graduates up to 24 years of age who possess a first degree, or associate degree.

 

Mr. Green also noted that the number of persons in the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) has been raised by more than 100 per cent.

 

The initiative caters to persons with mild intellectual disabilities, providing six months of work experience, coaching, personal development training as well as exposure to career options.

 

In March, some 162 persons were placed on the programme, and “they are now participating in a three-week camp with our job coaches,” Mr. Green told the House.

 

“I urge more companies to open their doors to employ our youth with disabilities. We are happy that 21 of those trained last year have secured permanent employment, but we want to increase that number,” he said.

 

For the National Youth Service (NYS) Summer Employment Programme (SEP), the State Minister pointed out that of the 800 youth to be employed this year, 200 are “unattached” and 400 are living with disabilities.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green.

JIS: The Petersfield High School family erupted with delight and pride when 19-year-old Kevin Nedrick broke the javelin and shot put records at the 2017 Inter-Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA) Boys and Girls’ Championships last week.

 

“I really feel on top of the world about it,” says Principal Clyde Evans in an interview with JIS News.

 

Kevin’s first- and second-place finishes in shot put and javelin, respectively, were key to the Westmoreland-based school rounding out the five-day championship in seventh place with 51 points.

 

“We have really performed well, and it has allowed the school to be recognised and be seen much more favourably in the public’s eye,” Mr. Evans says.

 

The student athlete’s exceptional performance, which was celebrated by the school, the community and friends and family, represented the unfolding of hard work, discipline, and a new sense of purpose in Kevin, who was once considered a troublesome student.

 

This newfound attitude is due largely to intervention through the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) IPAD Youth Empowerment and Mentorship programme, aimed at providing social intervention for young people.

 

IPAD, which is an acronym for Identity, Purpose, Attitude and Destiny, was rolled out in 2015 to instil good values and discipline in students.

 

It seeks to help students gain respect for the law, the police and their peers, while also acquiring social and problem-solving skills.

 

The programme, offered through an annual summer camp, is the brainchild of Acting Commissioner of Police, Novelette Grant, and is staged annually under the theme ‘IPAD 4 Life’.

 

The annual camps, staged at Petersfield High, were conceptualised as an added strategy to help disrupt incidents of crime and violence in the Westmoreland police division, by targeting the youth.

 

So far, some 250 young people have been impacted, including participants from other schools in the community. The JCF is now looking to expand the initiative to other parishes.

 

“We have many successes from IPAD 4 Life through the two summer camps, so far. The youngsters have had an opportunity to be empowered. It is not about being a good or a bad child (or that they are) going to put you in boot camp to beat change into you,” the Principal says.

 

He notes that the programme, instead, provides the youngsters with an opportunity to hone their skills and discover their talents and abilities.

 

“It shows them that they are somebody, that they are worth something, that they are a valuable part of society, they have value to themselves and value to others. After two years, we have had youngsters who speak extremely well about it and look forward to the next camp (each year),” Mr. Evans adds.

 

“It is about showing them love, showing them appreciation, showing them that they have self-worth, and it has had a tremendous impact on them,” he continues.

 

The Principal told JIS News that the programme, which tied into the strictures of training for the championships, was critical in bringing out excellence in the young man.

 

“The end product that Jamaica and, hopefully, the world, have seen, represents a significant change in Kevin; a very pleasant change. I would say Kevin was mischievous; even though his performance on the field was always strong-willed and determined, he would sometimes have clashes with teachers,” Mr. Evans points out.

 

He says the young man, who aspires to a professional track and field career, has shown characteristics of being more settled and focused since participating in IPAD 4 Life.

 

Kevin, for his part, tells JIS News that the programme taught him the value of determining his life goals and knowing how to work towards them.

 

“I am very grateful, as it has helped me a lot, pushed me towards focusing academically and also was important to my performance at Champs. Every youngster has a goal in life, so you need to find your goal in life and work towards it,” he says.

 

Kevin won the class-one shot put with a record throw of 20.65 metres. He threw a new national junior record of 63.73 metres in the preliminaries of the boys’ javelin, but could not repeat the performance in the finals, where he was placed second with a throw of 59.15 metres. Kingston College’s Aval Denton won the event with a 59. 21-metre throw.

 

Kevin is hopeful that he will receive an athletic scholarship to a university to further his studies and advance his career.

 

Mr. Evans describes as heart-warming Kevin’s perspectives on IPAD’s impact and his focus on education and professional success.

 

“I am so pleased to know that coming out of IPAD 4 Life, he realises the importance of having goals and working towards them,” he said.

 

Acting Police Commissioner, Novelette Grant, is urging private- and public-sector entities to come on board in offering financial and physical support to increasing the range of the initiative.

 

At a corporate breakfast on March 29 to seek sponsorship, Mrs. Grant said additional support will serve to refine the structure of the programme; expand its reach, particularly in the western section of the island; and to provide mentorship.

 

Among entities that pledged support are Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Carib Cement, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), Digicel Jamaica and Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

 

CAPTION: Acting Commissioner of Police, Novelette Grant (centre) with participants of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) IPAD Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Camp programme, following a corporate breakfast on March 29 at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston, which was used to seek sponsorship for the expansion of the programme. IPAD, an acronym for Identity, Purpose, Attitude, Destiny, is aimed at social intervention for youth.

JIS: The Marlin Avenue Basic School in Portmore, St. Catherine, is a step closer to achieving full certification under the Early Childhood Commission’s (ECC) 12 Operating standards for Early Childhood Institutions (ECI).

 

On Monday, April 3, Deputy Director General of Regulatory Affairs at the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Rohan Campbell, presented at cheque valued at   $809,309.31 to the principal of the School, Margaret Campbell, to assist in the certification process.

 

“We saw it as a great opportunity to assist.  As an organisation that values Jamaica’s development, we have always had a great interest in supporting education. We are in the business of regulation and, therefore, appreciate the need for standards in early-childhood development,” Mr. Campbell said.

 

The elated principal, Mrs. Campbell, was close to tears as she accepted the much-needed donation.

 

“We were strapped for cash and this injection will assist us to achieve certification. We are so grateful for the help of the Early Childhood Commission team and others who offered their support,” she said.

 

The funds will be used to improve lighting in the classrooms, establish a playground and repaint playground equipment and the school building.

 

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South, Fitz Jackson, who contributed the perimeter fencing for the school, added his support for the early-childhood standards.

 

“It’s a universally accepted fact that preparation of a child at the early-childhood level bears significance at the primary and secondary levels,” he noted.

 

Marlin Avenue Basic School was opened in 1979 and has 28 students enrolled and five members of staff, including two trained teachers.

 

The school has, so far, met 72 per cent of the operating standards required for certification by the ECC.

 

The 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.

 

CAPTION: Principal of the Marlin Avenue Basic School in Portmore, St. Catherine, Margaret Campbell, accepts a representational cheque for $809,309.31 from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority’s Deputy Director General, Regulatory Affairs, Rohan Campbell. The presentation was made at the school on Monday, April 3. The cheque will be used to assist the school in achieving full certification under the Early Childhood Commission 12 Operating Standards for Early Childhood Institutions.

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.