JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has expressed satisfaction at how financial and other resources are being used to assist the teaching-learning process in schools across St. Elizabeth.

 

In an interview with JIS News following a recent tour of a number of primary and high schools in the parish, the Minister said the early disbursement of funds to educational institutions, not only in St. Elizabeth but across the island, has been making a significant difference in improving operations.

 

“At all the schools that I have visited, the Principals have said how appreciative they have been of how early they have been receiving the funding, and they are able to do far more with these resources, because we have been far more efficient in getting the money to them. So, that has been very comforting and encouraging,” Senator Reid said.

 

The Minister toured the Glen Stewart Primary and Maggoty, Black River and Newell High schools.

 

He said as a Minister who has worked in the formal education system, these tours have given him a true appreciation of the very high interest being shown in education by all stakeholders.

 

“It’s very encouraging as Principal and now as Minister of Education that as I tour these schools, you are feeling the energy…you are having a sense that people are really interested in education,” the Minister said.

 

Senator Reid said he was particularly impressed by the progress being made at Newell High School by the administration, teachers and, in particular, the 1,010 students.

 

He told JIS News that as a school which has had its fair share of challenges, the institution has made remarkable progress and is now rated as a model secondary institution in St. Elizabeth.

 

“They are meeting the needs of the diversity of students they have. This is how we can reach out to all different types of students that come to our schools and how we can uplift them,” the Minister said.

 

CAPTION: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre), speaks with Principal of the Newell High School, in St. Elizabeth, Paul Grant (second right), during a visit to the institution recently. Others (from left) are Councillor for the Pedro Plains Division of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council, Jeremy Palmer; Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green and Chairman of the Newell High School Board, Jason Henzell.

JIS: There is a 30 per cent increase in the 2017/18 budget for early-childhood institutions (ECIs), and resources are being set aside to help those institutions most urgently in need of assistance.

 

This was stated by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, at a meeting with members of Region Five, at Everglades Centre, in Black River, St. Elizabeth on February 17.

 

This was the third in the series of Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Certification fairs, aimed at getting all of the island’s infant schools to operate according to the 12 standards set by the ECC.

 

Senator Reid noted that in the 2016/17 fiscal year, the Ministry also budgeted $30 million to partner with the ministries of Health, and Labour and Social Security to reactivate the stimulation programme for mother and child, from birth to age three.

 

He said that come September, there will be an increase in the allocation for grade-one and -two students from below $1,000 to $2,500 each; and grades seven to nine would move from $11,000 to $19,000 per student.

 

The Minister pointed out that there are examples of persons who informally started a basic school on their verandahs, and it is important that all stakeholders achieve the 12 standards set by the ECC in the shortest possible time.

 

“The objective of today’s fair is to sensitise you about what the standards are and what needs to be done. The rationalisation process is to ensure that more children have access to trained teachers in established, certified, government-operated infant departments and infant schools,” Senator Reid stressed.

 

There are currently 2,859 ECIs operating in Jamaica. Of that number, 2,515 have applied for certification and, to date, only 26 have achieved certification status.

 

As part of the certification process, 206 ECI practitioners have been fingerprinted in order to acquire police records, and 63 have accessed medical examinations. Police records and medical examinations are among the requirements for ECI staff, in keeping with the standards for the operation, management and administration of ECIs.

 

Senator Reid also told the hundreds of participants at the fair that an Oversight Committee is being established to oversee the development of a comprehensive strategy to revitalise the vision for the Jamaican child from birth to eight years.

 

This, he said, is intended to advance the early-childhood-development sector towards internationally accepted levels.

 

Meanwhile, the ECC Chairman, Mrs. Trisha Williams-Singh, said the certification fairs came about as a result of listening to the needs of the practitioners and ensuring that the sector is improved and can move forward.

 

“I am hoping to have 100 institutions certified by August. This drive is solely to improve the standards of our early-childhood institutions. Many times we make decisions without consulting with those most affected. We are now involving the stakeholders for the benefit of our most vulnerable citizens,” she said.

 

Also attending the fair were sponsors and participants, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force; the fire services; National Commercial Bank; Digicel; the College of Agriculture, Science and Education; Carlong Publishers; Child Development Agency; Social Development Commission; Red Cross; and National Bakery.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left); State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green (centre) and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth North-East, Mr. Evon Redman, watch a performance by infant-school children at the Early Childhood Commission Certification Fair for Region Five, held at Everglades Centre, in Black River, St Elizabeth, on February 17.

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the Government is committed to addressing the infrastructure needs of schools across the island.

 

He said that this will be done by increasing capital expenditure, through the work of the National Education Trust (NET), and by forging beneficial partnerships.

 

“The Ministry is very much aware of the challenges and we are committed to addressing the most urgent situations within the context of our overall national plan and available resources,” he said.

 

Senator Reid was addressing the official handing over of the Happy Grove High School in Portland on Thursday (Feb. 16), which has benefitted from a $10 million renovation project.

 

The work was undertaken through funding from the Japanese Government under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

 

The Education Minister extended gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for the support.

 

He said the investment represents one of the finest examples of the generosity of Japan to the people of Jamaica.

 

Meanwhile, the Minister urged the students of Happy Grove High to begin to prepare themselves for the job market, which will be driven by technology.

 

“You have to look at how you can combine your dexterity with computers and tablets and modern technology with the evolving needs of the marketplace,” he said.

 

Other speakers at the event were: Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency, Masanori Nakano; Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson; Chairman of the school board, David Abrikian; and Principal, Monique Grant-Facey.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Hon. Ruel Reid (centre), makes a point during a tour of classrooms at the Happy Grove High School in Portland, which was recently renovated through $10 million in support from the Japanese Government. The improvement project was officially handed over to the school on Thursday (February 16). Others (from left) are: Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson; Principal, Monique Grant-Facey; Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Masanori Nakano; and Chairman of the school board, David Abrikian.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says progress is being made in making it easier for persons to adopt children in state care.

 

This is even as the Government looks to amend the law to improve the adoption processes and procedures.

 

Mr. Green informed that in January seven children were able to leave state care to live with new parents. He said that some 50 children have been identified for adoption.

 

“We have been making significant strides in adoption. We have put in a new Adoption Board and I am very pleased by the reports that we have been having,” he said.

 

The State Minister was addressing a recent press conference held at the offices of the Overseas Examination Commission in St. Andrew.

 

Persons have complained that the adoption process takes too long. The State Minister noted that part of the challenge has been getting consent from the parents of children for them to be put up for adoption.

 

He said that many parents refuse to confirm their interest in the children and there are persons, who are desirous of taking them into their homes.

 

“The Government will be taking a firm stance; if we have children in our care and people are willing to take care of those children then ways must be found to expedite the process,” Mr. Green pointed out.

 

Turning to other matters, he informed that over 12,000 books will be distributed under the ‘Break the Silence’ campaign being spearheaded by the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR).

 

The books contain information to assist persons to identify, respond to and report child abuse.

 

As it relates to the Youth Parliament, which was re-convened in January, the State Minister informed that the Ministry is looking to act on some of the issues raised in the presentations.

 

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

JIS: The Government will be spending more than $63 million to construct two early childhood schools to increase capacity by 400 places in St. Andrew, and St. Thomas.

 

Under the project, the Tower Hill Infant School, in St. Andrew, and the Morant Estate Infant School, in St. Thomas, will be built, with each accommodating 200 students.

 

Each of the schools will have eight classrooms, computer room, library, offices, sickbay, medical room, music room, kitchen, dining/multipurpose room, play equipment and other facilities.

 

The allocation for the projects are outlined in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives.

 

Another $45 million has been provided in the budget for the continuation of the Early Childhood Development Project (IBRD), with the objective of improving the monitoring of children’s development.

 

There will also be the screening of household-level risks affecting development, and early intervention systems, in order to promote development.

JIS: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, is welcoming the launch of a social enterprise study, which sheds light on how such activities enable students to develop core skills to transition from school to the workplace.

 

The study, commissioned by the British Council, was conducted within secondary schools across the island, in partnership with the Jamaica National Foundation, the Office of Social Entrepreneurship and the Centre for Leadership and Governance.

 

A social enterprise is a business that trades for a social purpose, reinvests surpluses into their social objective, and makes themselves accountable for their actions, rather than simply maximising profits for their owners and shareholders. They also deliver social as well as economic value.

 

Among the gamut of social enterprises in existence at high schools are: Key Clubs, Tourism Action Clubs, Girl Guides, History Clubs, Octagon Clubs, Cadet and Interact Clubs, among others.

 

Senator Reid, in his remarks at the launch, held at the British High Commission in New Kingston on February 15, said that, among other things, the study will help to determine the impact of social enterprises on the lives of participants and the communities in which the projects are located.

 

“I welcome the (study) because I believe it is important that our young people be enabled to broaden their outlook…There are multiple pathways to social advancement and indeed personal success,” he said.

 

He argued that the study is critical as it confirmed that students will receive real-life exposure to business and sponsors by being a part of social enterprises.

 

Senator Reid pointed out that such endeavours are important for education and social advancement as well as to prevent students from “falling through the cracks.”

 

“Social enterprises also improve access to work by ensuring that intended qualifications are relevant to employment and learning and meet the needs of learners in the economy and learning institutions,” the Minister said.

 

“Social enterprises also help to boost students’ résumés, to enter higher education and to boost employment prospects,” he added.

 

Recently, Jamaica National Foundation staged its second Social Enterprise Boost Initiative Summit at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

 

The Summit aimed to create an enabling business environment for social enterprises in Jamaica and to assist them in transitioning their grant-funded operations into a viable profit-making business.

 

For his part, the Foundation’s Head, Saffrey Brown, said there are huge benefits to be had from social enterprises, and welcomed the research.

 

Among the findings of the study, which was presented by Acting Co-Director of the Centre for Leadership and Governance, Shinique Walters, is that the funds from these initiatives are reinvested to undertake projects and will go to welfare, such as a feed the needy students programme.

 

Social enterprises also engender advocacy, capacity building and address social problems, among other things.

 

The study also makes recommendations for social enterprises in secondary schools.

 

CAPTION: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, addresses the launch of a social enterprise study at the British High Commission in New Kingston on February 15.

JIS: The Ministry of Education Youth and Information has endorsed the use of the Stay Alert App developed by the Ministry of National Security. This app is one way for students, teachers, and other persons to be proactive in taking personals steps to aid in their safety.

 

The ministry also notes that many schools have policies relating to cell phones, and while clear policies are to be developed and enforced, the ministry’s position, pursuant to the revision of the Safety and Security Policy Guidance 2015, is that the education, youth and information ministry fully supports the use of technology and the use of mobile phones in the teaching and learning environment.

 

The Ministry has also instructed that school officials determine to what extent, if any, phones should be used during school-contact time.

 

With the increased use of technology, the Stay Alert APP in the hands of students is being encouraged.

 

The ministry notes from previous reports that thousands of prank calls to emergency numbers such as 119 have been made and is encouraging the responsible and appropriate use of the app.

 

 

 

Social Media

 

 

The Safety and Security Policy Guidance manual also speaks to the ministry’s policy on the use of mobile phone and social media.

 

Section 3.9, under the sub-heading Inappropriate Use of Mobile Phones, says: “With the increase in the use of technology, the Ministry endorses the use of mobile phones, which can be used to aid in the learning environment of students. Boards of schools are therefore encouraged to develop clear polices based on their particular situation with the use, or lack thereof, in this regard.

 

“3.10 Inappropriate use of other electronic devices

 

These devices include cameras, MP3 players and Game-Boys. Similar procedures as applied to mobile phones should be followed for all unauthorised electronic devices. Principals are directed to set clear rules and guidelines for those electronic devices that are allowed in the school. For items prohibited, similar procedures apply as outlined above.

 

 

 

GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USE IN SCHOOLS

 

 

The purpose of this section is to outline the Ministry’s standard guidelines for social media use. These guidelines are as follows:

 

The information posted online will follow you into adulthood and sometimes the damage created may affect your career goals.

 

Social media venues are public and information can be shared beyond your control. Be conscious of what you post online as you will leave a long-lasting impression on many different audiences.

 

Do not post or link anything (photos, videos, web pages, audio files, forums, groups, fan pages, etc) to your social-networking sites that you wouldn’t want friends, peers, parents, teachers, school administrators, or future employers to access. What you present on social networking forums represents you forever.

 

If a student sees anything of concern on another student social networking page or account, they should immediately contact the dean of discipline, guidance counsellor, or another adult within the school community.

 

Think before you post. The ministry asks students to use discretion when posting to the Internet.

 

The Ministry reserves the right to request school-related images or content posted without permission to be removed from the Internet.

 

Do not misrepresent yourself by using someone else’s identity. Remember, identity theft is a major crime.

 

When responding to others, remember to be respectful and avoid comments that may be hurtful. Do not use profane, obscene, or threatening language.

 

 

 

NOT APPROPRIATE

 

 

On and offline pornography is not appropriate for students. Students shall not participate in materials containing explicit description or display of sexual activities.

 

Only accept invitations to share information from people you know. Utilise privacy settings to control access to your network, web pages, profile, posts, blogs, wikis, podcasts, digital media, forums, groups, fan pages, etc.

 

Most human-trafficking recruiters solicit their victims online. Human trafficking is dangerous as research has shown that only one in every 100 victims is recovered.

 

Online stalkers and identity thieves are a real threat. Never share personal information, including, but not limited to, social security numbers, phone numbers, addresses, exact birth dates, and pictures with parties you don’t know or on unsecured sites.

 

Users should keep their passwords secured and never share passwords with others. If someone tampers with your blog, email, or social-networking account without you knowing about it, you could be held accountable.

 

Cyber bullying is considered an act of harassment. Avoid using electronic communication to intimidate or threaten others online.

 

Use of your schools logos or images on your personal social-networking sites is prohibited. If you wish to promote a specific school activity or event, you may do so only by means of a link to the official school Facebook account, Twitter account, or YouTube channel.

 

– Courtesy of Ministry of Education, Youth and Information

 

CAPTION: In this file photo, Rickeem Raybe is all smiles as he checks out the new tablet he received during a handover ceremony for Tablets in Schools at the Haile Selassie High School, 16-24 Payne Avenue, in Kingston.

JIS: Executive Director, Junior Achievement Jamaica, Alphie Mullings-Aiken, is urging young people to pursue career paths that will enable them to create wealth while offering solutions to some of society’s problems.

 

She noted that many innovative ideas have been developed in the areas of information communication technology and robotics.

 

She cited the example of Whatsapp, a free messaging and calling application, which has provided a solution to high telecommunications costs.

 

Mrs. Mullings-Aiken, who was addressing a youth forum at the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) Oxford Road offices on February 17, urged the participants to begin to think about how they can make an impact.

 

“I want you to think about what is the problem I have personally, how can I solve that and how can I make money from that? That’s what our entrepreneurs are doing around the world,” she pointed out.

 

The forum was staged by Junior Achievement Jamaica in partnership with the Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat at the PIOJ and formed part of activities to mark National Careers Week from February 13 to 17 under the theme: ‘Expanding Horizons for Vision 2030’.

 

It included interactive sessions highlighting new and emerging jobs in order to assist students in making wise career choices. It also provided them with an all day experience in a work environment.

 

Programme Director, Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat, Elizabeth Emanuel, told JIS News that the objective was to engage students in a “visioning exercise” about the Jamaica they want by 2030.

 

It also served to help them better understand their role in the fulfilment of the National Development Plan.

 

“So they are not only beneficiaries of whatever development gains that we (achieve), but they also contribute to making Jamaica that place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business,” she said.

 

CAPTION: Programme Director, Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat, Elizabeth Emanuel, interacts with students participating in a youth forum held at the Oxford Road offices of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) on February 17. The forum, which was put on by Junior Achievement Jamaica in partnership with the Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat was held as part of activities to mark National Careers Week 2017 from February 13 to 17.

JIS: The new National Standard Curriculum (NSC), will better prepare students for high academic achievements, says Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid.

 

Speaking at a recent media conference, held at the offices of the Overseas Examination Commission, in St. Andrew, the Minister said the system is a sound initiative to help students in their quest for tertiary education.

 

With implementation of the NSC in grades 1, 4, 7, 8 and 9 already, Senator Reid said some 13,000 teachers have received training for the curriculum, and “plans are in place for full rollout of the other grades in September 2017.”

 

The Minister emphasised that effectiveness of the education system depends largely on devising programms to meet the “diverse needs” of students.

 

“For our education system to be effective, we have to cater to the multiple intelligences of our children, and their diverse needs, in order to fully maximize their capabilities,” the Minister said.

 

Under the NSC, launched in March 2016, students at grades 12 and 13 have the opportunity, through the Career Advancement Programme (CAP), to move into the traditional sixth form programme, or a technical sixth form programme, which also include opportunities under the National Apprenticeship Programme.

 

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Grace McLean, explained that the examinations in the new system deal with issues of culture, international affairs, general awareness and projects.

 

 She pointed out that students will start sitting exams under the NSC in May 2019, adding that this will allow for “critical thinking, problem solving and giving our students the opportunity to apply what they have learnt.”

 

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

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, is urging students to pursue career paths that will enable them to become developers of goods and services that will ultimately redound to the benefit of the economy.

 

The Minister was addressing the National Careers Week 2017 regional forum at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston today (Feb. 16).

 

“How many times have you seen ‘made in Jamaica’ (as it relates) to electronics? Isn’t that a shame? If we want Jamaica to be great, it means that we have to get to the stage where what we produce and consume have the label ‘made in Jamaica’,” he said.

 

He urged them to cognisant of the changing 21st labour market, which requires higher levels of training and skill sets.

 

“The Ministry is (ensuring) that we give you all the opportunities for self-development, all the opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, providing you a pathway to university, providing you a pathway to become entrepreneurs, so you will remain in Jamaica and make Jamaica a great country,” he said.

 

He added that the Government is also ensuring that all students have a place in secondary schools.

 

“Whether you are going to be your own bosses, you still require high levels of education and training and, certainly, those of you who become entrepreneurs will require highly skilled and productive workers,” he said.

 

The regional forum formed part of Careers Week 2017, which runs from February 11-17. The event showcased the work of young people involved in programmes that are focused on preparing them for the workplace and business. These include the Career Advancement Programme (CAP), Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs and the Jamaica BizTown.

 

The week, which is being observed under the theme ‘Expanding Horizons for Vision 2030’, is the premier initiative to strengthen the future paths of young people in an effort to prepare them for the world of work, entrepreneurship and higher education.

 

Activities for the week includes church services, library expositions, school career expositions, a poster competition, international career discussions, a public forum at Emancipation Park in Kingston and forums in all six regions.

 

The week is organised by the Education Ministry, HEART Trust/NTA and Junior Achievement Jamaica.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), interacts with students of the St. Patrick Primary School while teacher Orlando Sculley (2nd left) looks on. Occasion was the National Careers Week 2017 regional forum at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston today (Feb. 16). The students are (from left): Tamilia Minott, Adriano Harris and Nyoka Betton.