JIS: Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is committed to ensuring that there is universal access to secondary education.

 

He said although government has limited resources and there are challenges, education should be a right for all children.

 

He also stated that children should be entitled to a place in primary school a good quality high school regardless of their background or ability to afford it and the country should provide that for every child.

 

Speaking at a GSAT awards function at the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday, August 24, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is trying to put this in place by initiating a no tuition fee policy at the secondary level.

 

He added that, “We understand the cost of education, but we also understand the cost of ignorance. If we are going to see the fulfilment of all our children, we need to have an education system that caters to their various skills and abilities.”

 

According to Mr Holness, what we believe as the foundation of the Jamaican State, society and culture is continuously being challenged by information all over the world.

 

To address this, there has to be constant reinforcement of the values of the Jamaican society, and these must be taught in schools by bringing back Civics into the education system.

 

“We have to strengthen our value system so that our students can place the bombardment of information they receive in context so they can become better individuals with strong character to withstand the turbulence of the world in which we live in.”

 

CAPTION: Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness, O.N., M.P.

 

JIS: The Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) is reporting that the country’s adult literacy rate is now at 87 per cent.

 

Deputy Executive Director and Director of Education Services at the JFLL, Dr. Grace-Camille Munroe, said this is very positive, as the island is coming from a rate of 50 per cent in 1974.

 

She noted, however, that Jamaica is still lagging behind some of its Caribbean neighbours.

 

Dr. Munroe, who was addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on August 23, said that in terms of Jamaica lagging behind, this affects the country’s productivity and competitiveness.

 

“According to organisations such as the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, Jamaica needs to do more,” she emphasised.

 

“Therefore, the JFLL is modernising and expanding what we offer to ensure that where people live, move and have their being, they have access to education.  Education is not just about literacy and numeracy; it is about life chances, it is about equipping adults to be able to make effective decisions that will impact  their lives, their families, their workplaces and their communities,”  Dr. Munroe said.

 

She pointed out that in 2014, the JFLL embarked on an ambitious endeavour  by  revising the more-than-40 year-old curricula, modernised its instructional material and retooled the offices to ensure that all who access JFLL programmes islandwide are better able to fend for themselves and move on to higher learning.

 

“So, we are on a mission to refocus our energy and rebrand ourselves,” Dr. Munroe said.

 

The JFLL, which has 34 centres islandwide, provides the opportunity for a second chance to adult learners to be able to find a better job or to transition to post-secondary education.

 

One such avenue is its High School Diploma Equivalency (HSDE) Programme that was launched in September 2014. This programme is geared towards adult learners 17 years and older.

 

The programme targets students who leave high school without certification, school dropouts, persons who want to access skills training, unattached youth and persons who are incarcerated.

 

CAPTION: Deputy Executive Director and Director of Education Services at the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL), Dr. Grace-Camille Munroe, addresses a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on August 23.

JIS: The education sector has received more than 1,000 pieces of school furniture from the Joseph Assignment Global Initiative (JAGI).

 

They were handed over today (August 23) by representatives of the group to officials of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, at its Heroes Circle offices, in Kingston.

 

Commending the JAGI for its work across the globe to make education and other amenities accessible to the most needy, Senior Education Officer at the Ministry, Paul Ashley, said the gift is a boost for those schools which the Ministry is giving priority.

 

“Your presence is a most timely one, as the Ministry is engaged in back-to-school preparations, and this gift will go a far way in filling some very critical needs,” he said.

 

Mr. Ashley told the officials of JAGI that they can be assured that the “furniture will be placed in the schools with the greatest need”.

 

The Senior Education Officer with responsibility for school operation said the furniture will be maintained to serve the children for many years.

 

JAGI helps to address global issues by providing medical assistance, housing, school, water and other services to several countries, with support from their partners.

 

“We thank them (sponsors) for their commitment to making sure that God’s children are educated, and we are excited to be here, to partner with you for the betterment of your youth,” said Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JAGI, Dr. Alexis Felder.

 

CAPTION: Senior Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Paul Ashley (left), and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Joseph Assignment Global Initiative (JAGI), Dr. Alexis Felder, display the receipt for more than 1,000 pieces of school furniture that the group presented to the Ministry, on August 23, at the Heroes Circle offices of the Ministry.

 

JIS: Infant, all-age, primary and junior secondary schools across the island are to benefit from a 90 per cent increase in maintenance grants at the beginning of the new school term in September.

 

The announcement came from Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, at a Region Six Back to School meeting, held at the Cedar Grove Academy in Portmore, St. Catherine, on August 18.

 

The meeting was held under the theme ‘Growing Better Schools for Better Communities’.

 

Mr. Reid informed that at present, the allocation per capita stands at a little under $1,000, and that will be increased to a further $2,500 per capita come next financial year.

 

“We are dispatching the maintenance grant to your schools as we speak… . This sector is not at all being underserved,” Mr. Reid told the meeting.

 

The Minister indicated that in this school year, “every school which previously had a pit latrine, (it) will be removed once and for all. They will be a thing of the past”.

 

Addressing the recently released Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) results, Mr. Reid suggested that parents, students and teachers must keep the tripartite relationship that had been established at the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) level.

 

“That same culture must continue into high school and more so on to the eve of those examinations,” he said.

 

 As it relates to school safety and security, Mr. Reid informed that the Ministry will be investing in several strategies to make schools safe.

 

“We’ve completed the training of some 1,000 safety and security officers. The areas covered under the training included human trafficking, roles and responsibilities of school resource officers and the issue of gangs in school,” he said.

 

Additionally, some 400 individuals will be recruited and trained as school security and safety officers.

 

The Minister reminded senior school staff to ensure their school build the entire person by “inculcating in students sound and moral values”.

 

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Maurice Smith, encouraged those in attendance to remain anchored during the new school term.

 

He reminded them not to abuse the power that has been vested in them and not to place unnecessary burdens upon themselves.

 

“We are servants of the people. We are operating in their (students) services. Do not walk around with the weight of the school on your shoulders. It will go on without you,” he said.

 

Region Six includes schools in St. Catherine and Clarendon.

 

CAPTION: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (right), receives a gift from Principal of Tacius Golding High School, Lena Russell, at a Region Six Back to School meeting, held at the Cedar Grove Academy in Portmore, St. Catherine, on August 19.

JIS: Three top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) students have received scholarships valued at $50,000 each from Facey Commodity Company, under its Tang brand.

 

The students are Michaelia Nesbeth of Old Harbour Bay Primary School; Jessica Simms, St. Richard’s Primary School, and Roan Maye, Black River Primary School.

 

Expressing gratitude for the scholarships at a luncheon, held on August 18, at The Knutford Court Hotel, in St. Andrew, Roan said they are now in a better position to pursue their academic goals at the secondary level.

 

“These scholarships will certainly open many opportunities for us, broadening our scope and character, and inevitably contributing to our future endeavours,” he said.

 

Roan, who will be attending Manchester High School, added that the scholarships are not only a charity contribution, but also a “source of motivation and encouragement to continue to work hard”.

 

Brand Manager at the company, Shellian Thompson, told the gathering that their association with the nation’s top academic achievers is perfect for the high standards that they deliver.

 

While commending the teachers for working tirelessly to instruct the students, she also thanked the parents for making sacrifices for the “welfare of your children”.

 

“We encourage you to see this as only the beginning of great things you will accomplish,” she told the students, adding that they should take encouragement from the Jamaican athletes’ performance at the Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

 

Meanwhile, President-Elect of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Howard Isaacs, encouraged the students to focus on their lessons, and urged to guide their children along a positive path.

 

CAPTIONS: Brand Manager at Facey Commodity Company, Shellian Thompson (right), interacts with three top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) students who have been awarded scholarships valued at $50,000 each by the company. The awardees are (from left) Michaelia Nesbeth of Old Harbour Bay Primary School; Jessica Simms, St. Richard’s Primary School; and Roan Maye, Black River Primary School. Occasion was a presentation luncheon, held on August 18, at The Knutford Court Hotel, in St. Andrew. Others pictured are Business Development Manager with the company, Pernal Ellington (2nd right), and Orville Butler (3rd right), another manager with Facey.

 JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, is reporting improved passes in 13 of the 35 subjects taken by students in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.

 

Of the 34,486 students, who sat the exams, 29,406 obtained passes ranging from grades 1-3, reflecting a pass rate of 85.2 per cent. Of the candidates who sat, 19,362 were females and 15,124 were males.

 

This was disclosed by portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, during a press conference yesterday (August 18) at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices in Kingston to provide results for CSEC, the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and City and Guilds.

 

He informed that the highest percentage increase of 12.3 per cent was recorded in Biology. There were improvements in Human and Social Biology, of 4.9 percentage points; and Physics, 0.7 percentage points.

 

Minister Reid informed that the pass rate for English Language was 71.2 per cent reflecting a 6.2 percentage point increase.  Meanwhile, the 47.7 per cent pass rate for Mathematics was a 14.3 percentage point decline over 2015.

 

He said the Ministry will be implementing a number of initiatives to deal with the decline in Mathematics, which comes after three consecutive years of improvement in the subject area.

 

Among them is ensuring that there are more adequately trained teachers in the system.

 

“Based on our 2013/2014 census, only 207 of the 1,784 mathematics teachers deployed in the secondary education system are fully qualified to teach mathematics to grade 11. This means only 207 have at least a bachelors’ degree in mathematics teaching,” he pointed out.

 

He said it is estimated that 111 fully qualified teachers left the system in 2015, which would have affected the preparation of a significant number of students, and the ability of schools to maintain the standards of teaching and learning.

 

Meanwhile, 59,394 students sat CAPE Units One and Two, attaining an overall pass rate of 86.6 per cent, which is 1.7 percentage points below the 88.3 per cent average pass rate for 2015.

 

“Student performance in Agricultural Science and Environmental Science recorded the strongest movement of 12.4 per cent and 12.2 per cent, respectively,” the Education Minister informed.

 

Candidates recorded improvements in Mathematics-related subjects, with a 10.8 per cent pass rate for Electrical and Electronic Technology; and Pure and Applied Mathematics at 2.6 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively.

 

There were also improvements in Caribbean Studies (2.8 per cent); History (5.4 per cent); Management of Business (5.1 per cent); Physics (0.4 per cent) and Sociology (2.4 per cent).

 

For City and Guilds, there were 11,029 entries for assessment in reading and writing. Of this total, approximately 8,400 were from grade 11 and close to 2,600 from the Career Advancement Programme (CAP). At grade 11, the overall pass rate for all three stages combined was 70.65 per cent.

 

CAPTION:  Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), is in discussion with State Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, at a press conference at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices in Kingston yesterday (August 18), to reveal the results of the 2016 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), is in discussion with State Minister,  Hon. Floyd Green, at a press conference at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices in Kingston yesterday (August 18), to reveal the results of the 2016 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.

JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information will be implementing a number of initiatives to address the decline in mathematics passes in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.

 

The pass rate for mathematics was 47.7 per cent, which is a 14.3 percentage point decrease compared to 2015.

 

Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices in Kingston on August 18, Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, informed that an additional 50 mathematics coaches have been identified to provide support to schools.

 

“In particular, the mathematics coaches will be providing support to 100 underperforming secondary schools,” he said.

 

In addition, close to 230 student-teachers have been awarded scholarships to pursue courses in mathematics, science and technical vocational education, with 138 to pursue programmes in secondary-mathematics education.

 

The Education Minister further informed that an audit is being undertaken to identify heads of departments (HODs) in the secondary system, who have not yet been trained in the Leadership of Mathematics Programme, which is a joint venture with the National College for Educational Leadership.

 

“New and untrained HODs will be engaged in three days of training from October 12-14, 2016,” Senator Reid said.

 

These measures, coupled with improved monitoring of schools, more capacity-building initiatives for teachers and a renewed focus on improving school leadership, should go a far way in effecting improvements in mathematics and other subject areas that recorded declines.

 

The fall-off in mathematics comes after three consecutive years of improvement in the performance of students in the subject area. Passes moved from 37.2 per cent in 2012 to 62 per cent in 2015.

 

Senator Reid blamed the decline on an inadequate number of appropriately trained teachers in the system.

 

“Based on our  2013/2014 Census,  only 207  of the 1,784 mathematics teachers deployed in the secondary-education system are fully qualified to teach mathematics to grade 11. This means only 207 have at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics teaching,” Senator Reid said.

 

He said it is estimated that 111 fully qualified teachers left the system in 2015.

 

Senator Reid said this would have affected the preparation of a significant number of students, and the ability of schools to maintain the standards of teaching and learning.

 

Of the 34,486 students, who sat CSEC this year, 29,406 obtained passes ranging from grades 1-3, reflecting an overall pass rate of 85.2 per cent. Of the candidates who sat, 19,362 were females and 15,124 were males.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), reveals the results of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination at a press conference held on August 18 at the Ministry’s Heroes Circle offices in Kingston. Looking on is State Minister, Hon. Floyd Green.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green, is urging Jamaica’s youth to get involved in achieving sustainable consumption.

 

In his International Youth Day message, Mr. Green said that this year’s theme “Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production” focuses on poverty eradication and how young people can lead the way in fostering sustainable consumption”.

 

He says, “young people can make a difference and young people must make a difference. It is our Jamaica, it is our future. What are we going to do to ensure that we have a Jamaica to enjoy in the future.

 

Adding that the age of social entrepreneurship provides significant opportunities for young people to give back to their communities while still making a profit, Mr. Green implored young people to partner with leaders in their communities and nationally, as they have the solutions to help Jamaica achieve its goals.

 

 

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

 

JIS: International Youth Day (IYD) is observed globally on August 12 each year to raise awareness on issues that affect youth. The theme of this year’s IYD is “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Production and Consumption.”

 

More than 500 million youth worldwide live in poverty and lack access to vital resources to secure their basic needs. Available data indicate that the Caribbean youth population is 25% overall and for Jamaica the population less than 24 years is 46%.

 

This cohort faces a number of challenges including high levels of unemployment, which not only inhibit national economic development but also have adverse social consequences including poverty, risky behaviours and concomitant negative outcomes.

 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Vision 2030 Jamaica require us to balance the needs of present and future generations, create economic growth without destroying natural resources and reduce consumption while enforcing well-being and dignity.

 

Essential to this is the realization of young people’s rights to participate in the political, economic and social life of their communities and countries, and to freely make informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health without discrimination, violence or coercion.

 

Countries need to invest in the health and education of their youth populations, particularly girls, and create opportunities for them to achieve their full potential. This will contribute to the realization of the demographic dividend, which can propel national economic growth.

 

These combined interventions are critical in order to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, strengthen the resilience of populations in the face of all challenges and seize the opportunities of the new economy.

 

Young people have the most to gain if we succeed in eradicating poverty, and the most to lose if we fail. They must be engaged and empowered as partners in achieving national sustainable development goals, as they are the generation that will inherit our planet.