JIS: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, is urging Jamaicans not to fear mathematics but embrace it in order to solve complex issues.

 

“Maths is important, and we as a people should not be afraid of mathematics. We must conquer it. We must make it fun and be able to apply it to some of the problems in our own personal lives and in the general society,” he said.

 

The Minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the National Mathematics Expo at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on March 9.

 

The National Mathematics Expo forms part of the fifth staging of National Mathematics Week, which is being observed from March 5-10, under the theme ‘Math Counts’.

 

Steps are being taken by the Ministry to improve the performance of students in mathematics by, among other things, increasing the number of teachers qualified in the subject.

 

In this regard, Mr. Reid noted that trainee teachers have been offered mathematics scholarships since 2015 to pursue the subject at training institutions.

 

“We really don’t have a lot of specialist mathematics teachers in the system. At the secondary level, you have about 1800 teachers who are actually delivering mathematics, but only 300 have specialist training at the degree level, which is not acceptable,” he said.

 

National Mathematics Coordinator, Dr. Tamika Benjamin noted that mathematics is important because it continues to play an increasing role, especially in the fields of science, technology and engineering.

 

Dr. Benjamin said it is necessary to change the culture and attitude towards mathematics, especially the fear associated with the subject. “In Jamaica, we struggle to get most of our children learning, but not just learning – mastering mathematics,” she pointed out.

 

She said the staging of the annual expo is part of the Ministry’s approach to aiding students to overcome the fear and “to help (them) recognise that maths is something used in everyday life”.

 

CAPTION: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (2nd right), engages grade-10 student of the Spanish Town High School in St. Catherine, Chamoya Williams (2nd left), in a mathematics exercise on a tablet. Occasion was the National Mathematics Expo at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies on March 9. Looking on are (from left) National Mathematics Coordinator, Dr. Tamika Benjamin; and grade-eight student of the Calabar Infant Primary and Junior High School, Roshane Hylton.

THE GLEANER: Education, Youth and Information Minister Senator Ruel Reid said the Government would be constructing five high schools across Jamaica over a five-year period, beginning in the 2018-2019 financial year. One billion dollars is to be budgeted each year over the five-year period.

 

Reid made the announcement while delivering the main address at the handover ceremony for 10 classrooms constructed with funds from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund at the Old Harbour Primary School in St Catherine yesterday.

 

“Now that we have extended the opportunities for every student to get a high-school education, there are not enough high schools, so we need to build some more,” he said.

 

“We have just completed the current cycle of the education system transformation programme, so next year, we are going to get the funding in place so we can start the building programme to deliver these schools in five years,” the education minister disclosed, adding that five was not enough, but it would address some of the problems.

 

He said Old Harbour, Christiana, south-west St Ann and St James are among the areas where the schools will be located.

 

Meanwhile, acting principal of the Old Harbour Primary School, George Goode, said the construction of the 10 classrooms at a cost of $83 million, of which $4 million was provided by the community, will greatly help the school to scrap the shift system that has been in place for over 40 years.

 

“We are elated. Our children will now have more contact learning time with teachers, so we will see improvements in the literacy and numeracy capacities of our students,” Goode told The Gleaner.

 

 Education, Youth and Information Minister Senator Ruel Reid said the Government would be constructing five high schools across Jamaica over a five-year period, beginning in the 2018-2019 financial year. One billion dollars is to be budgeted each year over the five-year period.

 

Reid made the announcement while delivering the main address at the handover ceremony for 10 classrooms constructed with funds from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund at the Old Harbour Primary School in St Catherine yesterday.

 

“Now that we have extended the opportunities for every student to get a high-school education, there are not enough high schools, so we need to build some more,” he said.

 

“We have just completed the current cycle of the education system transformation programme, so next year, we are going to get the funding in place so we can start the building programme to deliver these schools in five years,” the education minister disclosed, adding that five was not enough, but it would address some of the problems.

 

He said Old Harbour, Christiana, south-west St Ann and St James are among the areas where the schools will be located.

 

Meanwhile, acting principal of the Old Harbour Primary School, George Goode, said the construction of the 10 classrooms at a cost of $83 million, of which $4 million was provided by the community, will greatly help the school to scrap the shift system that has been in place for over 40 years.

 

“We are elated. Our children will now have more contact learning time with teachers, so we will see improvements in the literacy and numeracy capacities of our students,” Goode told The Gleaner.

 

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

JIS: The Government has put systems in place to ensure a smooth sitting of the March 16 and 17 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

 

More than 39,000 students will sit the two-day test in 1,090 centres across the island.

 

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, said the Ministry has taken steps to ensure there is no leaking of test papers.

 

These include unannounced visits to the printing facilities and the storage of examination papers in a vault.

 

He informed that the packaging of the examination materials will be done in a sterilised area and under strict supervision.

 

Minister Reid also reported that support systems will be in place for special needs students.

 

He was addressing a press conference on Tuesday (March 7), at his National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston.

 

Meanwhile, the Ministry informed that over the past year, support was provided for primary schools whose GSAT averages for Mathematics and Language Arts, and mastery in the Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy test fell below 60 per cent.

 

He noted, further, that some 118 secondary and primary schools, which are part of an improvement initiative called Operation Turnaround, also benefited from intervention.

 

Operation Turnaround aims to engage volunteer educators to provide instructional support in literacy and numeracy to improve results in these areas.

 

“Students from the schools that have been targeted, who are preparing to sit national or key exit examinations in 2017, are being provided with the requisite support,” Senator Reid not

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, emphasises a point during a press conference on Tuesday (March 7) at his National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston to provide details about preparations for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), among other matters.

JIS: Jamaica House Basic School is the latest and first institution in Kingston and St. Andrew to be certified by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

 

This means that the institution have successfully attained the ECC’s 12 operational standards.

 

These relate to staffing; developmental and educational programmes; interactions and relationships with children; physical environment; indoor and outdoor equipment, furnishing and supplies; health; nutrition; safety; children’s rights, protection and equality; interactions with parents and community members; administration; and finance.

 

Approximately 300 basic schools are being targeted for certification by 2019. Earlier this year, the St. Margaret’s Bay Basic School became the first institution in Portland to be certified.

 

At a function at Jamaica House Basic School on Tuesday (March 7) to recognise the achievement, ECC Chairperson, Trisha Williams-Singh said the standards are not difficult or unattainable for any of the schools.

 

“When you look at the most vulnerable in our society, you have to have standards. These standards must require care, strong leadership and effectiveness, because we are dealing with the most vulnerable… the children,” she said.

 

The ECC Chairperson noted that the certification of Jamaica House Basic School should send a strong signal to the other early-childhood institutions in Jamaica that they, too, can be certified.

 

The school’s Principal, Veronica Parkinson-Burnett, said the path to certification began in 2007 when she took over as the school’s head.

 

She noted that the journey was beset with challenges, but the school managed to overcome them through the support of committed parents, teachers and other stakeholders.

 

“The first inspection report was disheartening and I began working on the shortcomings. The second report was much better, but there was room for improvement. With all hands on deck, the school worked hard on the standards,” she said, while acknowledging the various contributors.

 

Jamaica House Basic School was established in 1974.

 

CAPTION: Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Acting Executive Director, Karlene Deslandes (left), presents the ECC certification to Principal of Jamaica House Basic School, Veronica Parkinson-Burnett, during a ceremony at the institution in St. Andrew on Tuesday (March 7). The certification signals the institution’s attainment of the ECC’s 12 operational standards.

 

JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is reporting that 103 schools recorded notable improvements in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in 2016.

 

This, Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says, is according to the 2016 National Education Inspectorate (NEI) Report.

 

He was speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston on Tuesday, March 7.

 

Senator Reid said the GSAT outcomes saw 64 of 85 schools visited recording improvements of between one and 42 per cent in Language Arts, while 11 had improved performances ranging from one to 41 per cent in Mathematics.

 

Additionally, he said, there was notable overall improved student performance in Mathematics of between two and 86 per cent at 62 of 85 primary schools.

 

Senator Reid disclosed that 10 of 18 high schools recorded improvements ranging between one and 21 per cent in CSEC English Language, while 12 of 18 institutions improved between two and 19 per cent in Mathematics.

 

Noting that the outcomes for CSEC technical and vocational subjects, which were included on the NEI’s 2016 review, were being reported on for the first time, Senator Reid said the data revealed that a small number of students sat the external examinations, adding that “an average of eight per cent of each cohort sat at least one subject, most of whom attained satisfactory passes”.

 

Meanwhile, the Ministry is reporting marked improvements in the operations of the 103 schools.

 

Senator Reid said notable improvements were recorded in the areas of leadership and management, student performance, teaching methodologies supporting students, and curriculum enhancement.

 

The Minister said 78 of the schools inspected were deemed to be performing satisfactorily in the area of leadership and management, with the remaining 25 being rated below par.

 

This outcome, he noted, was significant, in light of the short period between the previous and current inspection cycles, within which targeted remedial actions were scheduled, “and the fact that some of the interventions required time for implementation and for desired improvements to take place”.

 

In the area of teaching methodologies, Senator Reid said 34 schools received improved ratings, with 73 getting a satisfactory mark.

 

He attributed this to improvements in student support at the schools as well as the institutions’ leadership and management.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (right), greets Chief Inspector at the National Inspectorate, Maureen Dwyer (centre), while Public Relations and Communication Officer at the Ministry, Sheryl Bromfield, looks on. Occasion is a press conference on Tuesday (March 7), at the Ministry in Kingston to provide details about preparations for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), among other matters. 

JIS: The Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate Change II (Ja REEACH II) project is inviting submissions for its video competition in observance of World Water Day on March 22.

 

The competition is open to young people aged 12 to 19 or students in grades seven to 13.

 

They are asked to record and upload a one-minute video depicting the theme ‘How Do You Reduce Water Consumption/Reuse Water?’ in the home, school or community.

 

The deadline for submission of entries is Friday, March 10, and winners will be announced on March 22.

 

Participants are required to upload or post videos to the Ja REEACH Facebook page and on Twitter using the hashtags #JaREEACH #WorldWaterDay2017.

 

The video with the most likes will win the competition, so participants are encouraged to get their friends and family members involved.

 

In addition to the video competition, Ja REEACH will host a panel discussion on its Facebook page.

 

World Water Day is observed annually to recognise the significance of fresh water and advocate for the sustainable management of water resources.

 

This year’s World Water Day theme is ‘Waste Water’, which places focus on reducing and reusing waste water.

 

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, which endorses the competition, is encouraging active participation among children and youth in stimulating climate-change adaptation and mitigation.

 

Ja REEACH is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project that promotes the protection of rural lives, livelihoods and ecosystems through interventions that increase and strengthen climate-change adaptation.

 

CAPTION: Jamaica Is Working To Boost Climate Smart Activities 

JIS: As the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information prepares to administer the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), parents are being reminded to ensure that their children are prepared for the examination.

 

The two-day test will be held on March 16 and 17 at 1,090 centres across the island.

 

The Ministry is advising parents to make sure that students gather all needed materials on the night before the examination.

 

This will prevent them from having to search for items on the morning of the test, as this can cause the child to become flustered and frustrated. 15/2017

 

Students should not study on the night before the examination, as this may result in an overload on the brain and can cause temporary memory loss. They should be encouraged to go to bed early.

 

A good night’s rest is important in ensuring that the student functions at his/her best the next day.

 

In addition, they should have a healthy breakfast on the morning of the examination, but should not overeat.

 

Students should arrive at the examination centre early, about 30 minutes before the test.

 

This will help them to relax and settle down, minimising nervousness. Arriving just in time to go into the examination room, or worse, arriving late, can cause them to get agitated and unnecessarily nervous.

 

Students are advised to read examination questions carefully before providing answers and ensure that they have answered all the questions for each test.

 

The Mathematics and Language Arts tests comprise 80 questions, while Science and Social Studies are 60 questions each.

 

When completing their responses, students must ensure that the number that is being shaded on the answer sheet matches the number in the test question booklets.

 

They are encouraged to draft a plan before writing an essay or story.

 

Students should use their time wisely and not seek to hurry because other students sitting next to them have finished.

 

Students should practise consistently in the months, weeks and days leading up to the examination. This will help with timing and familiarity with the content they are expected to know.

 

CAPTION: In this file photo, Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, offers words of encouragement to Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) students of Mona Primary in St. Andrew, prior to the sitting of day one of the examination last year.

JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has redoubled its efforts to improve passes in mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.

 

Portfolio minister, Senator Ruel Reid, informed that the number of maths coaches deployed to the school system has increased from 40 to 70.

 

“The ministry has also awarded 168 scholarships to student teachers pursuing courses in secondary-maths education. This is in addition to the 30 students awarded in 2015,” he said. He noted that 200 scholarships are available for the 2017/18 academic year. 

 

“The goal of this initiative is to increase the number of fully qualified mathematics teachers available for deployment to the education system,” he pointed out.

 

Other measures include increased student support through camps, and the deployment of tutors to serve approximately 4,000 students in 118 secondary schools. 

 

“We trained an additional 150 new principals and heads of departments (mathematics) in the leadership of mathematics programme developed and implemented as a partnership between the National Mathematics Programme and National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL),” Reid noted further.

 

He was speaking at the launch of National Mathematics Week and presentation of the Mathematics Teacher of the Year award at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge, University of the West Indies (UWI) on today.

 

The ministry is observing National Mathematics Week from March 5-10

 

Activities got under way with a church service held at the Boulevard Baptist Church in Kingston.  

 

For the first time, road shows will be held at Holy Trinity High School in Kingston, BB Coke High in St Elizabeth and Hopewell High School in Hanover on March 7.  

 

The main activity of the week will be the fifth staging of a Mathematics Exposition on the UWI’s Mona Campus on Thursday, March 9. 

 

This flagship event has grown significantly, with more than 8,000 persons attending last year’s event, up from 2,000 when it was first held in 2013. Some 45 booth holders will be on hand to interact with the participants.  

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid, addresses the launch of National Mathematics Week and the presentation of the Mathematics Teacher of the Year award at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge and Conference Centre on March 6, 2017. 

JIS: Neisha Grant Lawrence, teacher at the Crescent Primary School in St. Catherine is the Mathematics Teacher of the Year.

 

She was presented with her award by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, during the launch of Mathematics Week at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Visitors’ Lodge on March 6.

 

Her prizes include a one-year membership to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), which is the world’s largest organisation concerned with mathematics education, as well as a trip to San Antonio for the NCTM 2017 Conference. She also received an Apple iPad.

 

Mrs. Grant Lawrence said she was grateful to God, humbled and filled with joy to be the recipient of the coveted award.

 

“I would like to register my gratitude to the Ministry of Education, more specifically the National Mathematics Team, for implementing such a competition, giving me this great opportunity to demonstrate my mathematics skills outside the walls of my school,” she said.

 

She said her journey started when the Ministry implemented a programme for the training of School-based Mathematics Teachers (SBMT) at the primary level to improve the performance of students in the subject.

 

“My principal thought I was the best person for the task, despite my unwillingness, and like many, I feared mathematics from childhood. My principal, seeing the great potential in me, persisted, and I went ahead teary eyed, still reluctant; but look at me now,” Mrs. Grant Lawrence noted.

 

“Students at my school are understanding mathematics and are having fun while learning. It is my will to see… mathematics (become) the top-performing subject in both primary and high school.

 

I know all the participants in this competition and other mathematics teachers will see to that,” she said.

 

She also expressed appreciation to her students, Principal, Iris Lewis and family members, who, she noted, were a constant source of motivation and encouragement.

 

Other finalists in the competition were Leesan Salmon of the Aabuthnott Gallimore High School; Tarique Tomlinson, from the Godfrey Stewart High School; AnnMarie Plummer Wright of the Bethabara Primary School; and Rosemarie McFarlane Morris of St. Catherine High School.

 

The contestants were observed teaching mathematics lessons by members of the regional and national mathematics teams as well as education officers. They were also interviewed by a panel of judges on mathematics teaching and learning.

 

Participants were also tasked to prepare an action plan that they would share with their principal to treat five of the issues identified in the National Education Inspectorate Report in respect to mathematics. Individuals were scored based on these interactions.

 

The Mathematics Teacher of the Year Award is in its fourth year and is sponsored by Jamaica National (JN).

 

Senator Reid extended special thanks to the financial institution for its support of the competition since its inception in 2013.

 

For his part, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry, Dean-Roy Bernard, congratulated the 2017 Mathematics Teacher of the Year.

 

“I say thank you for your continued good service to the people of Jamaica,” Mr. Bernard said.

 

The Ministry is observing March 5 to 10 as National Mathematics Week under the theme ‘Math Counts’.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (3rd left), presents the Mathematics Teacher of the Year trophy to teacher of Crescent Primary School in St. Catherine, Neisha Grant Lawrence (3rd right). The presentation was made at the launch of Mathematics Week at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Mona Visitors’ Lodge on March 6. Sharing the moment (from left) are National Mathematics Coordinator at the Education Ministry, Dr. Tamika Benjamin; Senior Manager, Learning Development Culture, Jamaica National Group, Dr. Renée Rattray; Vice President, Insurance Association of Jamaica and Chief Executive Officer, National Commercial Bank Insurance Company, Vernon James; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dean Roy Bernard.

JIS: The Ministry of National Security and the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to offer educational opportunities to inmates and other interest groups.

 

In an interview with JIS News, Minister of State in the Ministry, Pearnel Charles Jr., says offering educational programmes to persons in juvenile confinement, prisons or at-risk social groups is a fundamental component to the rehabilitation process and the fight against crime.

 

He argues that this can have a direct impact on the country’s rate of recidivism and ultimately crime, adding that education behind bars means a greater likelihood of post-release employment, stability and independence for the individual.

 

“One of the core areas of focus in the ‘Rehabilitation for Reintegration’ agenda is to ensure that all inmates and wards leave our institutions literate and better than when they went in,” the State Minister says.

 

He notes that the JFLL has had tremendous success in empowering adult learners to become literate through the many programmes they have, and he is confident the inmates will grasp the opportunity.

 

“Many of our inmates and wards are thirsty to learn and if we intend to abate the cycle of violence, it makes sense to invest in them, hence this MOU,” Mr. Charles says.

 

“The programme is a practical initiative with clear results. It will help us to see them move from basic literacy to obtaining high school level certification. Many of the inmates have skills but are weak in reading. This project is to help them make the transition to literacy and HEART vocational programmes,” he explains.

 

The State Minister says one of the primary objectives of the Ministry is to ensure that persons doing time are prepared for success upon release and to help them reintegrate, get jobs, provide for their families and ultimately stay away from crime.

 

“Correctional education is a cost effective initiative. Every dollar spent on prison education, juvenile centre or at-risk youth groups could save the country millions in fighting crime and prevent re-incarceration,” he tells JIS News.

 

He notes that it is easier to govern an educated man or woman, because that person should be able to read and understand Government policies and the rationale behind laws.

 

For his part, Executive Director of JFLL, Worrel Hibbert, said the MOU will be signed with the view of equipping the adult learner with knowledge, skills and the attitude that will make him or her “empowered to achieve their fullest potential.”

 

He tells JIS News that the JFLL is eager to enter the partnership agreement with the Ministry and the Department of Correctional Services to offer a “second chance” to the youngsters in juvenile detention facilities, individuals who take part in community intervention programmes and inmates housed in correctional facilities across the island.

 

“We want to pay more attention to the literacy programmes that are available in our prisons and correctional centres,” Mr. Hibbert says.

 

For her part, Director of Educational Services at the JFLL, Miss Rhoda Crawford, says the agency is very excited about the partnership, adding that the synergy will significantly advance the justice reform programmes.

 

“I am encouraged by the Ministers’ desire to get things started and the support and commitment from the Ministry to assist us (JFLL) in implementing this life changing opportunity for the inmates and juveniles,” she says.

 

Miss Crawford notes that the MOU will allow the agency to engage over 4,000 persons from various groups by offering “adult basic (mastery in literacy and numeracy) and adult secondary education (high school equivalency) to those individuals who want a second chance.”

 

This access, she says, will give them learning opportunities to pursue personal, academic and professional goals.

 

She adds that from discussions there are plans to start the process of the literacy rehabilitation with the signing of the MOU by the end of this month.

 

“Once the paper works are done, our first plan of action is to go into the institutions and start by accessing the learners, to see where they are (academically) and then do the placement based on their educational background,” Miss Crawford explains.

 

She says the proposal is to implement the JFLL’s two-year High School Diploma Equivalency (HSDE) programme in the correctional system, with the hope of giving the inmates secondary level certification.

 

The HSDE programme, she notes, takes a learner from basic literacy to the proficiency level where they are able to sit Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects.

 

“We have a track record of being able to move an individual from zero literacy to the attainment of CSEC subjects, so we are confident that this agency (JFLL) can give the impactful results that will change the lives of the people and ultimately impact the crime rate,” Miss Crawford says.

 

She adds that the proof of such achievement was evident at the agency’s recently held graduation that included several persons who advanced with CSEC subjects after starting the programme at the lowest tier on the literacy scale.

 

“They were not able to read and write but at the end of the two-year programme we were able to see them graduating with at least five CSEC subjects. This is just what you need to enroll in most colleges and to gain employment, so the HSDE is a ticket to afford all participants an opportunity to reintegrate into the society,” Miss Crawford says.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles, Jr.