Four early-childhood education institutions across the island have been given a much-needed facelift by the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA).

The agency undertook critical repairs and beautification works at the schools, which are situated in communities where the FLA offices are situated, on Labour Day, May 23.

The beneficiary institutions are Catherine Hall Primary and Infant in St. James; Mountain View Primary and Infant in St. Andrew; Discovery Bay All-Age (Infant Department) in St. Ann; and Mandeville Infant, Manchester.

At Catherine Hall Primary and Infant, where improvements were made to the play area, Vice-principal Kaye-Esther Malcolm, told JIS News that the work done was critical in ensuring that the institution meet the standard for certification.

The FLA repaired and painted the school’s swing set and monkey bars, restored and painted the obstacle course tyres, and placed gravel and sand at the play area. The team also painted the classroom partition wall.

“I am so excited because the FLA team did such a great job. This is so important because we are getting ready to be certified and the play area will play a big part in that because we have most of the things in place already,” she said.

“So, FLA, we are so grateful, and we are so happy that you are trying to make a difference and to bring this to a successful space.” Ms. Malcolm said.

At the Mountain View Primary and Infant School in St. Andrew , the FLA team did major works to restore the guardhouse, tile the school’s stage and paint a perimeter wall.

Principal at the institution, Michelle Robinson, expressed gratitude to the agency for partnering with teachers and parents to make the activities a success.

“We are extremely grateful to the FLA for taking on three huge projects for the school. All three projects are costly, and it was really difficult for us to get these done.” Ms. Robinson noted.

She told JIS News that the FLA was willing to partner with the school without hesitation.

“The FLA chose to partner with us, saving us a lot of money and helping us to build our brand, this brand of excellence. So, we’re extremely grateful to [the FLA] team, which came out in full numbers and did an excellent job. We have been blessed by the FLA and we’re extremely thankful for their support.” Ms. Robinson noted.

At Discovery Bay All-Age and the Mandeville Infant, the FLA teams marked and painted the pedestrian crossings.

The date for the sitting of the Caribbean Advanced Education Certificate (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) has been put back until Monday, May 23, 2022.

This announcement was made by Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Dr. Wayne Wesley, during a virtual press briefing today (April 27).

The due date for Student-Based Assessments (SBAs) was also extended by two weeks by the Council.

On that note, Dr. Wesley said the local registrar should declare a specific date for local submissions.

Following the three-week extension, the results for the examinations are projected to be released by late August or early September.

“After careful deliberation, and consideration of all the pertinent issues, the Council agreed that the revised strategy for the 2022 regional examinations will provide candidates with additional time to prepare,” Dr. Wesley said.

Currently, 25,429 students are registered for CAPE exams, while 105,078 are registered to sit CSEC exams regionally.

Dr. Wesley noted that students are still allowed to defer from sitting an exam, up to a day before the test is written.

“We continue to work with our stakeholders in the best interest of our students across the region. Our collective will and consensus on matters of regional importance [is always significant]. We have obtained that consensus, and for that reason, Council would have approved the foregoing decisions,” he said.

The Council’s Hardship Policy will continue to be implemented when marking examination papers, in light of the setbacks posed to the education sector by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Education and Youth remains committed to encouraging and promoting healthy nutrition and regular exercise among students, to minimise the incidence of obesity.

This assurance comes from Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, who notes research indicating the prevalence of obesity among individuals, particularly youngsters.

Speaking during activities marking National School Moves Day, at Ferncourt High in St. Ann on April 29, Mrs. Williams said data from a 2017 Global School Health Survey showed that 65 per cent of children, 13 to 17 years, were overweight while 26 per cent were considered obese.

She further referenced the findings of a 2016-2017 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey which, she said, indicated that one in two, or 54 per cent, of overall Jamaicans were pre-obese or obese.

Mrs. Williams said healthy lifestyle habits, such as being physically active and eating well, have proven to yield long-term dividends, adding that good nutrition is “one of the cornerstones for enhancing learning.”

She noted that, over the years, the Ministries of Education, and Health and Wellness, have partnered to develop polices and public education programmes tailored to provide more nutritious options for youngsters from the early childhood to high school levels.

The Minister said parents as well as teachers and school administrators have been engaged in the process, “in recognition of [the fact that] there must be a holistic approach in addressing this challenge [obesity].”

Mrs. Williams said while hereditary and cultural norms were among the factors rendering children more susceptible to developing obesity, changes in lifestyle habits have also been influential.

As such, she welcomed this year’s staging of the National School Moves Day Initiative.

This, the Minister said, “against the background of us coming out of the more serious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and [the resulting] reduced physical activity and physical exercise programmes that children normally engage in while at school, and even in their communities.”

Mrs. Williams said the initiative, which forms part of the Jamaica Moves in Schools Programme, aims to encourage children to be physically active, and provides an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of doing so.

She added that Jamaica Moves in Schools was an early intervention programme, and among those designed to ensure that children participate in a minimum amount of physical activity daily, en route to creating overall healthier lifestyles.

“We are happy to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Association of Principals and Vice Principals of Secondary Schools, and the Jamaica Association of Primary and Infant Schools to encourage a healthier lifestyle among our [student] population,” Mrs. Williams stated.

She added that while COVID-19 had severely impacted the programme’s implementation, “we are committed to renewing the efforts to achieve the desired results, including encouraging children to get moving about, even in their own home environments.”

No child should be left behind; every child should be in school, as there are more than 767 primary schools and 200 high schools that are fully funded by the Government, says Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Dr. Kasan Troupe.

She was bringing greetings on behalf of the Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, at the Child Month National Church Service, held at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God on May 1.

Dr. Troupe pleaded with community leaders, parents and church members to call 211 if they know of a child not going to school and encouraged persons to recommend infant schools as an alternative to basic schools, if parents cannot afford the fees. She pointed out that infant schools are operated by the Government and are fully funded. “Do not keep the children at home; early stimulation is important,” she said.

Citing the Child Month 2022 theme, ‘Listen Up! Children Voices Matter’, Dr. Troupe noted that the Ministry will host special activities during the month of May.

‘Safe Speak’ sessions will provide a forum for children to tell how they feel about safety in Jamaica and school.

According to Dr. Troupe, the information garnered will guide safety policy development. Children will also have an opportunity to contribute to what is described as a policy dialogue, where the children will look at what is being done for the ‘End the Violence’ campaign.

“They will do a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of what is being done in this country. This means their voices will impact what we do and how we develop policies, programmes and activities in our schools and beyond,” Dr. Troupe said.

“This year’s Child Month theme means that we have to pause as individuals and listen. We have to give our children the opportunity to speak up, assert themselves, share their perspective. We may not agree, but we have to listen, and as we listen, we will know what their thoughts are and we can guide them,” she said. The National Child Month Committee (NCMC)-planned activities for the Month will continue on May 20, which is celebrated as National Children’s Day. On this day, members of the public are being asked to wear sunshine yellow and treat the children extra special.

The NCMC will host ‘Pickney Party Live and Direct’. During the Party, children six to 17 years of age will have the opportunity to showcase their talents through dance, poetry, songs or any other Art form.

The National Day of Prayer for the Nation’s Children is Wednesday May 25. This will be held at the Trinity Moravian Church, Montgomery Avenue in Kingston.

On Tuesday, May 3, several households will receive care packages that will be distributed by members of the NCMC.

Lead sponsors for Child Month 2022 are GraceKennedy and National Baking Company Foundation. There are also Jamaica Producers, National Health Fund, Sangster’s Book Store and the JN Group.

Acting Director of Donor and Partnership Management, National Education Trust, Shirley Moncrieffe (left), and National Mathematics Coordinator in the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY), Dr. Tameika Benjamin, observe as student from the Oracabessa Primary School in St. Mary, Shedean Davis, opens a pack of FDA-approved antiseptic wipes. Her school and others across the island will benefit from a donation of one million packs from the ISSA Trust Foundation as part of the MOEY’s efforts to support the ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts. Looking on (from second right) are Chairman, ISSA Trust Foundation, Paul Issa and Oracabessa Primary Guidance Counsellor, Alex Carruthers. The handover took place at the Ministry, in Kingston, today (April 19).

The criteria for the appointment of principals are to be revised following Cabinet’s approval for these changes to be made.

This will be facilitated through the amendment of section 43 (1) of the Education Act, 1965 and sections of the Education Regulations, 1980, which relate to the criteria for the appointment of principals.

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, made the announcement during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (April 6).

The proposed amendments are to ensure that principals possess the requisite educational qualifications and training, in line with current international standards.

These changes are geared towards improving the quality of leadership and the general management of educational institutions.

In the meantime, Cabinet also gave approval for the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) to operate under the Ministry of Education and Youth.

However, exceptions were provided where the NCTVET would transfer its quality assurance function, that is, its ability to approve and accredit institutions that offer technical and vocational training, and its registers to the University Council of Jamaica.

Additionally, the Overseas Examinations Commission will now have the statutory responsibility of administering tests that have been developed by NCTVET. To facilitate these changes, the requisite amendments will be made to the relevant Acts of Parliament.

The Ministry of Education and Youth is implementing several initiatives at various levels of the sector to increase science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) learning.

This was stated by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, during the national STEAM career forum at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, on April 1.

She said the Ministry has introduced the Specialist Subject teacher model at the primary level to strengthen the teaching and learning of English language and mathematics.

“Efforts at pushing STEAM learning will continue to be undermined if secondary-level students are still struggling with reading and comprehension,” she noted.

Additionally, the Minister said under the new National Standards Curriculum (NSC) for the grade one-to-nine levels, which seeks to improve the general academic performance, attitude and behaviour of students, emphasis is being placed on project-based and problem-solving learning, with science, technology, engineering and mathematics/science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEM/STEAM) integrated at all levels.

“We also recognise that if we are to provide our young people with a world-class STEAM education, then our teachers must have access to high-quality training and professional development programmes and resources,” the Minister argued.

She said assessments administered by the Ministry of Education and Youth reveal that many primary-level students are performing below acceptable standards in mathematics and science.

“With the learning loss resulting from the closure of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a lot of catching up to do,” the Minister explained.

Mrs. Williams said the Ministry is also looking at additional activities, aimed at developing and nurturing STEM talent and interest through immersion in STEM experiences at the primary level to strengthen the efforts already being made.

“If we are to increase STEM enrolment at the tertiary level, we have to be deliberate in cultivating STEM talent and interest at an early stage,” she added.

She pointed out that the recent launch of the Coding in Schools programme is aimed at preparing the nation’s students to take their place in the global community.

“This is being embraced with great enthusiasm and we want to see this sustained,” the Minister said.

Mrs. Williams noted that the Ministry is already implementing, as part of its strategic priorities, the broad embrace of STEAM education, not just as discrete subjects to be taught but to be integrated at all levels.

National Mathematics Coordinator in the Ministry, Dr. Tamika Benjamin, said the Ministry continues to be committed to ensuring that every Jamaican student has a solid foundation in mathematics and science.

She said this will enable them to take hold of the range of opportunities available to them locally and internationally.

The event formed part of the Ministry’s activities for National Mathematics Week 2022. The Week, which ran from March 27 to April 1, was held under the theme, ‘Born to do Maths’.

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams (left) and Chairman of Jamaica Day, Marlon Williams, are presented with copies of a book authored by Pat Chin, entitled ‘Miss Pat- My Reggae Music Journey’, and a doll dressed in the Jamaicans colours by proprietor of Island Dolls Beverly Robotham. The representation was made at the Ministry in Kingston on Tuesday (February 22). Ms. Robotham also presented a letter of undertaking to donate five per cent of all doll sales for this year towards the purchase of tablets for students, under the ‘Own Your Own Device’ initiative.

Students at Holland Primary School in St. Elizabeth participating in the morning’s devotional exercise while observing Jamaica Day 2022 on Friday, February 25, under the theme, “Celebrate Jamaica: Building Character – Hearts Through the Arts.”

The Jamaica Teaching Council Bill and Regulations for the Road Traffic Act were tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (February 1)

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, tabled the teaching council legislation, which seeks to establish a governing body for the teaching profession and a licensing and registration regime for all government-paid teachers.

The Bill will also establish and maintain professional standards for teacher competence and practice; regulate the professional conduct of teachers to ensure, in the public interest, that they are fit and proper persons to teach; and create an enabling environment for the continuing professional development of teachers.

Meanwhile, the Regulations for the Road Traffic Act makes provisions to better apply the principles and purposes of the new Road Traffic Act, which was passed in the House of Representatives in 2018.

Covered are areas such as fitness, registration and licensing of motor vehicles; construction of and equipment for motor vehicles; licensing of drivers; certification of driving instructors and licensing of driving schools; and traffic signs, speed limits and rules of the road.

Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Audley Shaw, tabled the Regulations.