Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), Minister of Education, Youth and Information, greets His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermia Sahle – Selassie upon his arrival at the Mico University College in St Andres. Ms Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sports (centre) was a member of the greeting party. The Prince paid a courtesy call on the institution which had hosted his grandfather, Emperor Haile Selassie during his vist to Jamaica 50 years ago April 21, 1966.

Senator Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information has announced the removal of auxiliary fees in high schools effective at the start of the next academic year. He said this will be facilitated by increasing the Ministry’s subvention to schools for tuition from $11500 to $19000.

The Education Minister made the disclosure during his address to graduates of the Aspiring Principals Programme at Mona Visitor’s Lodge on Wednesday (April 20). The programme is delivered by the National College of Educational Leadership in collaboration with the University of the West Indies School of Education. 

Minister Reid explained that the resultant $2 billion increase in expenditure will be funded across two budget periods and disbursed to schools in tranches. He disclosed that the Ministry was currently devising a funding formula to ensure that there is equity in the amount of subvention to each school towards tuition fees. 

He noted that the Ministry will be consulting with principals and other stakeholders before the new subvention amount is implemented.

The funding formula aims to achieve several objectives:

1. Provide the highest level of available funding to schools that receive students with the lowest level of academic achievement on entry, and to schools where the majority of students are from the poorest socio-economic condition.

2. Through more equitable funding schools will be able to allocate the staffing and resources required to meet the needs of the students they serve.   

3. The allocation of budget for a school for each academic year should reflect the student enrolment for that particular year and any changes to the school population. As the conditions/situation of students change the budget allocated for staffing in that school must change within an adequate time period. 

4. However, schools will not be permitted to enrol more than the number of places permitted by the Ministry

5. Reflect the nature of the plant and site, the curriculum offer and the health and safety of students and staff.   

The Ministry is seeking to allocate the resources where it is most needed to get optimum results.

Film Producer Tammy Hart presents a DVD copy of the documentary Tell the Children the Truth to Minister of Education, Youth and Information Ruel Reid. The 47-minute production focuses on ‘What it means to be a parent’ and targets high school students.

Seventy seven of the country’s teachers on Wednesday received certificates following the successful completion of the Aspiring Principals’ Programme.

The educators, from schools across the country now join an elite group of school professionals who possess the Professional Qualification for Principalship (PQP).

The Aspiring Principals’ Programme, an initiative of the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL), is offered through the University of the West Indies.

Yesterday’s award ceremony took place at the Mona Visitors Lodge and involved Education Minister, Senator Ruel Reid, Opposition Spokesperson on Education, Rev. Ronald Thwaites and other education stakeholders.

The year-long programme comprises four modules and a field experience that requires the aspiring principals to demonstrate particular capabilities in critical areas of school leadership.

NCEL’s Aspiring Principals’ Programme complements the Effective Principals Programme which targets practising principals of public schools, bursars and education officers.

Subject to the passage of the appropriate legislation, only educators with a PQP will be eligible for appointment to the post of principal of any public school in Jamaica.

GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION have agreed to join hands in re-launching a national campaign to promote positive values in the society.

This was disclosed on Wednesday (April 20) during a meeting convened by Senator Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, with a cross section of stakeholders at his National Heroes Circle offices.  Rev. Ronald Thwaites, Shadow Minister of Education, accepted Senator Reid’s invitation to jointly lead a renewed national values and attitude campaign.

Minister Reid said the campaign would be centred on the core values contained in the Vision 20/30 Jamaica national development plan. In this regard he invited the representative of the Planning Institute of Jamaica to update the committee at its next meeting on the implementation of Vision 2030.

According to Minister Reid the values campaign should promote good role models for children in school and the community, reward positive behaviour in schools, advocate the removal of lewd music from public transportation and commuter centres, appoint values and attitude champions in schools and other organisations, involve parents, and engage the public using traditional and new media.

The committee suggested the holding of a national summit before the official launch of the values and attitude campaign. Several organisations were represented at the inaugural committee meeting. These include the National Parents Teachers Association of Jamaica, Peace Management Initiative, Respect Jamaica/Digicel Foundation, Child Development Agency, National Secondary Students’ Council, National Youth Service, Jamaica Council of Churches, and Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica.

Minister Reid said the membership of the committee will be broadened to reflect other critical stakeholders.

Senator Ruel Reid (left), Minister of Education, Youth and Information is in discussion with representatives of Flow Jamaica who made a courtesy call on him on Monday (April 18). Flow indicated its willingness to support Government’s policies to promote the development of the Information Communication and Technology sector in general and, in particular, as it relates to advancing education.

The Flow Jamaica team included, from second left, Rochelle Cameron -Vice President for Legal and Regulatory Affairs; President, Gary Sinclair;  and Errol Miller, Executive Chairman, Flow Foundation. 

Hon. Floyd Green, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has expressed appreciation to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority for donating $500,000 towards the celebration of Child Month 2016.  The celebrations will take place in May under the theme: ‘Healthy Children Build a Stronger Nation’. The theme is aimed at raising awareness of children’s health – physical, mental and social well-being.

Mr Nari Williams-Singh, Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority made the symbolic cheque presentation to Dr. Pauline Mullings, Chair of the National Child Month Committee and State Minister Green at his National Heroes Circle office on Tuesday (April 19). The funds will be used specifically to support island-wide activities on National Children’s Day (May 13).

Minister of Education, Youth and Information Ruel Reid has welcomed the removal of offensive posters from the entrance of the Alpha Primary School in Kingston.

Following media exposure of the signs which promoted X-rated adult entertainment, Minister Reid visited the school Monday morning (April 18) and expressed relief that they had been removed.

Minister Reid met with the Principal Millicent Graham, several members of staff and parents along with some students. He expressed appreciation to the staff for their contribution to education and encouraged parents to continue supporting the school.

 Since assuming office Minister Reid has emphasised the promotion of positive values and attitudes throughout the education system.