JIS: Approximately 3,100 athletes from high schools islandwide will be on show at the annual Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston from March 28 to April 1.

A special opening ceremony will be held at the stadium on Friday, March 31, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, and other government officials are expected to attend.

Competitions Officer of ISSA, George Forbes, told JIS News that the teams from the schools are making final preparations.

“A lot of schools have been collecting their packages, checking to ensure they have entered,” noting that all the athletes would have attained the qualifying standard to enter Champs.

Among the top schools participating are Calabar High, Wolmer’s High, Jamaica College, St. Jago High, Kingston College, Titchfield High, Immaculate Conception High, Munro College and The Queen’s School.

However, Mr. Forbes said they are now seeing an influx of athletes from other schools across Jamaica.

He noted that this is due to a large number of coaches being trained at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education & Sport and returning to their communities.

“What we find now is that instead of these schools sending their athletes to ‘big track’ schools, they are staying at home and they are being trained to participate at Champs without having to go to the big schools,” he said.

As it relates to the health of the athletes, Mr. Forbes said the organising committee of ISSA has been working with the Ministry of Health to have the medical facilities equipped at the stadium.

‘As per the requirements at the National Stadium, we have at least two ambulances on standby – one for the patrons, one for the athletes – and, of course, we have medical posts at stadium east and one in the stadium,” he said.

Additionally, Mr. Forbes said that persons will not be allowed to smoke at the stadium, noting that the no-smoking ban will be enforced by the police.

“It is the duty of the police to ensure that people who are caught smoking should be dealt with,” he said.

Persons who smoke at the venue could pay fines ranging from $10,000 for a first offence, $25,000 for a second, and $50,000 for subsequent offences, following a smoking ban implemented through the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations 2013, which took effect on Monday, July 15, 2013.

CAPTION: Students of high schools participate in a long-distance race at the Inter-Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girl’s Championships. (FILE)

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator, the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the Government has a responsibility to ensure that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic situation.

He noted that the elimination of school fees at the secondary level aims to ensure that “no child is left behind and everyone will have a chance of pursuing a tertiary education, and higher, regardless of status”.

“The Government that I am a part of is committed to giving schools as much resources as is possible. We are saying that those who can make a contribution… there is nothing wrong with that. What I am saying, however, is that it makes no sense that there are (people)… who cannot pay the mandatory fees, and then we are going to say ‘you cannot come to school unless you can pay the fees’,” he argued.

Senator Reid was addressing a service to commemorate the 240th anniversary of Ruseas High School held on March 26 in Lucea, Hanover.

The Education Minster noted that when he sat the Common Entrance Examinations many years ago, there were approximately 55,000 students competing for only11,000 traditional high-school places.

Of that 11,000, only 10 per cent would find themselves in a sixth form and 10 per cent of that number would go on to university.

He indicated that between 1948 and 2000, only 50,000 Caribbean people graduated from all the campuses of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

He said that having that knowledge, he had no choice but to “go back to basics, giving schools all the necessary tools to succeed”.

He added that while a lot of progress has been made since then, there are still parents who fall below the poverty line, and the Government has to ensure that their children have an equal chance at a quality education.

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

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has engaged tertiary institutions in a discussion about the implementation of an affirmative action policy for poor and vulnerable youth through a system of bonded scholarships.

The Minister said he has already started a conversation with the University of the West Indies (UWI), in which the university expressed a willingness to start a programme in which the State would fund tuition for the first person of a poor household who matriculates.

Senator Reid said this initiative would be for persons pursuing a degree programme that is aligned with the country’s strategic direction, particularly as it relates to expanding the global services outsourcing sector.

The Minister was addressing a forum with stakeholders in the education sector, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, yesterday (March 27), to discuss how institutions must restructure to best meet the growing business process and knowledge outsourcing needs of the labour market.

“I am going to shake up the education system. We are going to have to find a way to ensure that the same students who we are taking from the margins, that we find a path for them,” he said.

Senator Reid, meanwhile, urged tertiary-level institutions to seek to align their programmes with the imperatives set by the Government for the long-term growth and development of the country, in order to create the required skill sets.

“We are very clear that the BPO industry is one of those areas that we have to be prepared for, and in that regard, the entire education system needs to understand that we are changing the structure, the dynamics of that system,” he said.

Meanwhile, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Professor Gordon Shirley, called for the private sector to be more heavily integrated into the delivery of business process outsourcing (BPO) services and to collaborate with the HEART Trust/NTA in expanding the training opportunities for the sector.

Professor Shirley said he believes the Government’s target of creating 200,000 new jobs in the sector over the next three years is possible, but will require a new approach to training across the education sector.

“We have to be disruptive. We will have to think differently on how we build on what we have and augment those existing skill sets,” Professor Shirley said.

For his part, President of the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica, Dr. Guna Muppuri, also called on leaders in the education sector and educators to be prepared to provide the workforce with the requisite skills for the global services sector.

He also proposed that the development of a BPO University be considered, to provide the personnel for the market.

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre), responding to questions during a forum on March 27 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, to engage stakeholders in the education sector on how to align programmes to meet the labour force needs to expand the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. He is joined by President of the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica, Dr. Guna Muppuri (left) and President and CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Professor Gordon Shirley.

JIS: The library community has been evolving and remains quite relevant in a technologically-driven society through the array of services it offers to meet the demands of users.

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) consists of 119 fixed locations, that is, 13 parish libraries and 106 branch libraries.

There is also a mobile library service which caters to some 370 communities island wide.

The Jamaica Library Service offers free access to computers, internet and other electronic resources to enable persons to utilize a range of informational, educational and recreational resources.

Additionally, well trained computer specialists are available in the thirteen (13) parish library networks to ensure that technical problems are solved quickly and users enjoy reliable and efficient computer services. Basic computer training is also offered to members of the public.

Director General at the JLS, Karen Barton, tells JIS News that the library’s services have long gone beyond just lending books, but now expands to meeting the demands of the entire community.

“We are expecting to reach as many Jamaicans as possible, who have access to all our libraries and mobile units. We are also on a mission to increase our membership as many persons feel that the library is just about books, but the library is more like the community hub, where you can fulfil educational and academic needs and so, we are targeting a large number of persons in order for the community to be transformed through technology,” she tells says.

The Director General informs that through a US$2-million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries Initiative, and US$1.1 million from the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, the JLS have been significantly transforming public libraries across the island through increased access to technology.

Through the project, the JLS has acquired 1,063 new state-of-the-art information and communications technology (ICT) resources to use in its 119 public libraries and has installed over 150 wireless access points across public libraries, which will enable users to enjoy increased Wi-Fi access.

In terms of training, more than 600 JLS staff members participated in customer service, digital literacy and social media courses, while some 2,000 library users received training in basic computer and digital literacy.

Come April 1, the JLS will be implementing an Integrated Library Management System (ILMS) called Koha, to improve the efficiency of the library’s operations as well as service for users.

Koha, an automated open-source management system will allow library users to obtain access to search online catalogue from anywhere in the world.

She explains that the JLS’s collection will be accessible online where persons can go to do a google-like search to see what is available. Users will be able to see which location the material is at and how many copies are at that specific library.

The ILMS will also allow persons to reserve resource material for borrowing and give access to online research facilities.

“Members of the libraries will be able to access EBSCO research services, which is a database that we (JLS) subscribe to that provides e-resources, journals and other information. So, a user will be able to utilise this facility outside of the library, from anywhere, as long as he or she is a member and has a membership number,” she points out.

Additionally, the JLS has introduced information and communications technology programmes and services to its users in the 13 parish libraries and select branch libraries.

Students are able to participate in the tablet sessions, library members will enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi access, while all users can participate in the photography and robotics clubs.

“We also cater to the visually impaired and is equipped with the relevant software such as the accessibility options that come with the Microsoft operating system to facilitate this group. We have summer programmes for children and employ students aged 14 to 16 to assist in carrying out these programmes,” she outlines.

She adds that the seniors have not been left behind as they can benefit from basic computer training, learning how to use the mouse and connect with loved ones abroad through Skype.

“We also have career development programmes where we help persons to write their resumes as our staff is trained to use the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) that is done by the Ministry of Labour & Social Security…so persons looking for jobs, we can assist them in properly preparing their resume to match the suitable position,” she adds.

The JLS also hosts the annual National Reading Competition for ages six to 99 and strives for a mixture of good literature with a variety of settings and themes appropriate for the varied age groups.

“So we have reading competitions and reading club; writing, chess, technology and digi-art clubs, and the clubs change in focus based on the demand because we have to be relevant,” Mrs. Barton notes.

“So librarianship is dynamic and is not just about books anymore…all of our librarians have to be trained in technology because all of the administrative and operational procedures are all technology-based…research is technology based as you have to know how to use all the online resources and database,” the Director General reasons.

She reiterates that the JLS remains relevant as it embraces and utilizes technology to meet the needs of its users.

“The library service is on the move and we implore persons to utilise the services and benefit from what is being provided…we know that technology is the way and the library is not going to be left behind,” she affirms.

CAPTION: Director General at the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), Karen Barton highlights the programmes and initiatives offered to improve the efficiency of the library’s operations, as well as services for users. She was addressing a recent JIS Think Tank.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, is urging school administrators not to allow the issue of fees and indiscipline to affect children’s education.

He said the Government has taken a bold step to increase funding for schools, and where children are cited for being indiscipline, they should be redirected to other learning institutions, under strict guidance.

“We cannot allow that in our Jamaica, because we know that were it not for education, we would not be here,” the Minister said.

He added that if children are out of school, it provides the opportunity for them to get into activities that are not good for their well-being.

The State Minister was delivering the keynote address at the Bog Walk High School Annual Awards in St. Catherine, on Thursday (March 23).

Mr. Reid encouraged the students to develop a passion for the career path they want, while at the same time encouraging parents to support their children’s choices.

Meanwhile, student at the institution, Tyana Stanberry, thanked the Minister for his contribution, noting that “your speech delivered a series of fundamental advice.”

“The students are now motivated more than ever to raise the bar, to excel in character and to serve others,” she said.

For her part, Member of Parliament for North Central St. Catherine, Natalie Neita Headley, encouraged the students, not to allow circumstances to keep them from succeeding.

The Past Students Association awarded two students with plaques, one each from the lower and upper school, as well as provided $25,000 for needy students who will be doing the Caribbean Secondary Education (CSEC) examinations.

CAPTION: Top achievers at the Bog Walk High School in St. Catherine, display their trophies and certificates at the school’s Annual Awards ceremony held on March 23 at the institution.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green, is urging school administrators not to allow the issue of fees and indiscipline to affect children’s education.

He said the Government has taken a bold step to increase funding for schools, and where children are cited for being indiscipline, they should be redirected to other learning institutions, under strict guidance.

“We cannot allow that in our Jamaica, because we know that were it not for education, we would not be here,” the minister said.

He added that if children are out of school, it provides the opportunity for them to get into activities that are not good for their wellbeing.

The state minister was delivering the keynote address at the Bog Walk High School Annual Awards in St Catherine, last Thursday.

Green encouraged the students to develop a passion for the career path they want, while at the same time encouraging parents to support their children’s choices.

Meanwhile, a student at the institution, Tyana Stanberry, thanked the minister for his contribution, noting that “your speech delivered a series of fundamental advice.”

“The students are now motivated more than ever to raise the bar, to excel in character and to serve others,” she said. 

For her part, Member of Parliament for North Central St Catherine, Natalie Neita Headley, encouraged the students, not to allow circumstances to keep them from succeeding.

The Past Students Association awarded two students with plaques, one each from the lower and upper school, as well as provided $25,000 for needy students who will be doing the Caribbean Secondary Education (CSEC) examinations.

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green (right), receives a gift package from student at the St Catherine based Bog Walk High School, Tyana Stanberry, at the institution’s annual awards ceremony held on March 23, 2017.

JIS: The Industrial Arts Department of Vauxhall High School on Friday (March 24) hosted an Open Day to showcase the skills of secondary students preparing for careers in technical and vocational fields.

The institution was supported by students from Kemps Hall, Dunoon and Donald Quarrie Technical High Schools, who also mounted displays, some of which were a part of students’ School Based Assessment (SBA) projects for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

The displays included a hydraulic press, a circuit board featuring a motion sensor, and furniture including hassock, ironing boards, bedside lamps and step ladders.

Speaking with JIS News, Acting Principal of the institution, Prudence Brown Pinnock, was pleased with the event’s staging and expressed confidence that the Industrial Arts will receive rightful recognition and place in modern Jamaica.

“I think it’s a great event… and I think that more and more the industrial arts are getting the prominence they deserve and I think the display today supports that – that industrial arts has a place in the centre of students’ education,” the educator said.

The Acting Principal, who used to supervise industrial arts department and maintains a keen interest in the area, noted that the presentations were good and well received by students.

“It augers well for where we will go as a school in promoting the industrial arts and getting our students certified and competent in these areas,” she stated.

Chairman of the Board, attorney Christopher Honeywell, said the event signified the commitment that the board and staff, and that the school has a valid and comprehensive offering in the industrial arts.

“It underpins the management and staff’s commitment to developing this area of the school’s curriculum in recognition of the fact that as we grow as a school and as a nation, industrial arts and the ability to do things is going to be critical in transitioning Jamaica from a nation that simply talks and hopes, to a nation that achieves.” Mr. Honeywell said.

Head, Industrial Arts Department, Gavin Derizzio, said the overall aim is for all students who graduate from Vauxhall High School in the technical and vocational departments, to be certified and competent to enter the world of work or higher education and be ready to take on the challenges of today’s society.

Outlining the schools success in the area, Mr. Derizzio noted that passes by students in all the technical subjects at the CSEC level have been good.

He informed that students who sit the examination in Construction register no less than 90 per cent passes, and Mechanical Technology students score within the seventy to eighty per cent pass rate.

Automotive Technology is not offered at the CSEC level, so students sit the NCT-vet level 1 certification in motor vehicle engine repairs.

“Most students who sit CSEC here at Vauxhall in the different disciplines are usually successful. They normally transition to Rockfort vocational training centre, some proceed to find employment and some move on to universities such as University of Technology. We want to work on getting the students to proceed to institutions where they can obtain at least a first degree in their disciplines,” Mr. Derizzio noted.

For fifth form student, Brandon Bennett, who participated in the making of a two point control switch, the Open Day is an opportunity to show that young people are competent and can be good examples for others to emulate. He pointed out that inner-city youths frequently are seen as the perpetrators of crime.

“Having an opportunity to do this (Open Day) is showing the world that we are not here to slack off or (be in) bad company. Instead of us being out there trying to change the world in a negative way, we are here trying to show the younger students what we know and if they want to know more, we are here to help them out,” the student said.

CAPTION: Brandon Bennett, student of Vauxhall Technical High School (centre), explains how the circuit which he helped to build works. The device was on display at Open Day held at the institution on Friday March 24.

JIS:  The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in collaboration with the Jamaican American Athletic Development (JAMAAD) Incorporated have launched a new sporting initiative called ‘The Touchdown Project’.

It will be rolled out in 16 Schools Island wide as of September 2017 and will be used as an avenue for the introduction of American Football in local schools.

The sporting initiative is seen as another way through which Jamaican youth, with right guidance and coaching can develop their full potential and excel in another arena.

Speaking at the launch of the project Minister of Education Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid said a careful selection process was used to choose the 16 schools in order to facilitate a league format with eight teams in each conference

Schools were selected based on having a suitable playing field and a record of being listed in the top 50 high academic performers. Any child from the Parish can play for the team, and the school will act as the home base for that Parish.

Senator Reid said that this decision was taken to ensure that the programme is accessible to the all high school students across the island.

“Jamaicans living in the United States have indicated that great scholarship opportunities can be derived from this and other sport programmes and we believe these opportunities should be explored,” he said at the launch held on March 23 at the Overseas Examination Commission in Kingston.

Students from grades seven to twelve who are in good academic standing will be eligible to participate in the student athlete programme.

The programme will be fully funded by JAMAAD and its affiliates. Additionally, the project has been warmly received by the Jamaican Diaspora, who have provided some US$800,000 in funding for certain aspects of the initiative.

The sum will cover the cost of procuring safety equipment and gear and other associated expenses at no cost to the Government of Jamaica or the participating schools.

In the first phase of the initiative, a comprehensive training programme for local coaches is being developed as an introduction to the basic principles and rules of American Football.

The coaches will receive certification and training and will work with American coaches and industry professionals to develop the sport in Jamaica.

In phase two, focus will be placed on the recruitment of potential student athletes through a series of fitness and agility camps.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Gender Entertainment and Sports, Hon. Olivia Grange said the youth represent vibrant possibilities for national development and that the project will empower young people to realize their full potential.

She noted further that the project will introduce core American sports to Jamaica’s youth, enabling them to pursue goals and dreams by competing globally.

The Minister’s speech was read by Senior Director in the Ministry, Florette Blackwood.

For his part, Director of JAMAAD, Zachery Harding said the project is fully endorsed by both Ministries of Government.

“The Ministry’s role in the project is to act as an interface between the project and the schools. This is a school based project so we have to partner with the schools. They are responsible for the curriculum, the Physical Education teachers and the coaches,” Mr. Harding said.

“So through them, we access the schools to get permission to introduce the programme (and) access the coaches to get them trained. Through them, we would also access the safety officers to get them trained,” he added.

He further explained that once the programme is integrated into schools, the Ministry of Culture Gender Entertainment and Sports, will coordinate the establishment of leagues and interface with the Inter-Secondary School Sports Association, in implementing the rules and regulations aspect of the programme.

“At the appropriate time, we will also bring in the Jamaica Anti- Doping Commission (JADCO) to educate them, because anti-doping in schools is an important part of the programme,” Mr. Harding stated.

The Touchdown Project is the first of a three part programme which aims to introduce baseball and basketball to the island.

It is anticipated that the development of these sports will assist in positioning Jamaica as the top destination for recruiting professional American sports talent. The initiative is conceptualized and founded by Jamaican born Director of JAMAAD, Nicole Hoyen-Birch.

JAMAAD is a Diaspora U.S. non-profit organization which seeks to ‘Champion the Dreams of Youth Through Sports’.

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (third right) is pictured with from left, students of the Kingston Technical High School, Javier Grant and Javaughn Rose; Founder and Director of the Jamaican American Athletic Development (JAMAAD) Incorporated, Nicole Hoyen-Birch and Students of the Kingston Technical High School, Rayion Watson and Garfield O’Connor. They were at the launch of the Touchdown Project at the Overseas Examinations Commission in Kingston on March 23. Others in the background are from left: Education Officer for Physical Education in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Elton Johnson and Director of JAMAAD, Zachery Harding.

JIS: The Hanover Educational Institute has received a $10-million (US$82,986) grant from the Government of Japan, through the Grassroots and Human Security Project, towards the construction of a hospitality training facility.

Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Masanori Nakano, and Principal of the Hanover Educational Institute, Angela R. Haye, signed the grant agreement during a ceremony held at the Ambassador’s residence on Paddington Terrace, on March 23.

The new facility, to be built on the grounds of the Institute, will entail a dining room, one classroom with a computer room, kitchen, bar/event area, and male and female restrooms.

State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, said the Administration is grateful for the significant contribution that the Japanese Government has been making to the country in various areas.

He noted that the Grassroots and Human Security Project has helped to empower many Jamaicans.

“I think we all appreciate that unless our young people are empowered, we will not be able to transform Jamaica, and empowerment largely comes through a significant programme of education and training,” Minister Green said.

“What I like about the Hanover Educational Institute’s model is that it really gives our young people a second chance. It targets young people who may have not done so well in high school… to complete their high-school journey and ensures that they get a marketable skill,” he added.

Ambassador Nakano, for his part, said the project will be a great addition to the parish “in terms of providing skills training and educational opportunities and also poverty alleviation through employment opportunities for the people in need within the region”.

He noted that the Institute has been proactively engaged in activities to promote education as well as technical and vocational skills training for those who could not attend, or had to drop out for various reasons.

“At the end of their course of study, graduates should be well equipped and poised to enter the job market and seek gainful employment, hopefully in many hotels within the hospitality and tourism sector, which is very promising and a major income-earner for Jamaica,” the Japanese Ambassador added.

Chairman of the Hanover Educational Institute, Kenric Davis, in a message read by teacher at the Institute, Marcia Allen, expressed gratitude for the grant.

He said the construction of the hospitality training facility will enable the Institute to offer hands-on vocational training in addition to academic training.

Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects supports initiatives proposed by various bodies, such as non-governmental organisations and local government authorities for development at the grassroots level.

CAPTION: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (2nd left), looks on as Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, His Excellency Masanori Nakano (2nd right) and Principal of the Hanover Educational Institute, Angela R. Haye, sign an agreement for the provision of grant funding for the building of a hospitality training facility on the grounds of the institute. The signing ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s Residence on Paddington Terrace on March 23. Looking on (at left) is Consultant, Ministry of Tourism, Dr. Lloyd Waller.