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.

A Community Access Point (CAP) was officially opened at the Brixton Hill Primary and Infant School in Clarendon on Wednesday (January 19), which will benefit students at the institution and the wider community.

The CAP site, established by the Universal Service Fund (USF), is equipped with 20 computers, a projector with accompanying screen and mount, and desks and chairs.

Residents will be able to access internet service from their mobile phones or tablets.

Minister of Information and Member of Parliament for Clarendon North Central, the Hon. Robert Morgan, who addressed the official opening ceremony, hailed the establishment of the site as a major achievement for the school, the students, teachers, and the wider Brixton community.

He said that residents of the neighbouring area of Mocho will also benefit from the use of the facility.

Minister Morgan urged the students to make the most of their education.

“I recognise that the only reason I became the Minister of Information in the Office of the Prime Minister is because of my education. It was because I got an opportunity to go to school and I want that opportunity for every single child in this room, because the only way you are going to rise in the modern world is through education,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the USF, Daniel Dawes, in his remarks, said that the entity is on a mission to connect Jamaicans through the setting up of CAP sites and Wi-Fi hotspots.

He noted that more than 350 CAP sites have opened to date at schools, churches, and community centres across the island.

As it relates to the public Wi-Fi hotspots, Mr. Dawes noted that three such sites are being established per constituency.

For Clarendon, the hotspot locations are Stewarton District, Rock River and Mocho.

“As we move from east to west, we have outfitted more than 40 [communities] and I guarantee to you that before the end of this month, we will be [about] 100 and plus. We have committed to the Minister [Morgan] and to the Government and people of Jamaica, that by the end of this financial year, we would have outfitted 189 communities with free Wi-Fi,” he said.

 

Presented to:
Prime Minister the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP
by Professor the Honourable Orlando Patterson, OM, Chairman
JANUARY 2022.
Disclaimer: This is a working report and is not for citation without permission until
the final version is presented.

JETC Report_AbridgedVersion

With the resumption of face-to-face classes, the Westmoreland Health Department is appealing to school administrators and parents to be on the lookout for symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HMFD) among children.

The Health Department said that while there is no outbreak of the disease in the parish, there have been 12 reported cases of the viral illness across eight communities over the past two months.

Cases have been detected in Seaton Crescent, Farm Pen, Chantilly, Hudson Street, Meylers Avenue, and Top Road in Little London, and Georges Plain and Shrewsbury in Petersfield. The individuals were diagnosed at health centres across the parish.

In an interview with JIS News, Parish Health Promotion and Education Officer, Gerald Miller, said that the contagious viral illness is common in infants and children under five years old but can also be transmitted to older children and adults.

He explained that the disease spreads easily in childcare facilities due to frequent diaper changes, and because young children often put their hands in their mouths.

Mr. Miller said the health department is being proactive and has placed educational institutions on alert.

“We have been very proactive in alerting our parents, educational institutions and the principals and the development officers who work with the Early Childhood Commission to let them be aware of the presence of hand, foot and mouth in the parish… and we want our parents, guardians and teachers to be on the lookout,” he said.

Initial signs of the disease include fever, poor appetite, sore throat, and a feeling of malaise.

These symptoms generally last for one to two days before a blister-like rash appears on the hands, feet and in the mouth.

The rash initially emerges as small red spots, but then develops into blisters. The blisters may develop on the gums, inner cheeks, and tongue and patients may complain of mouth pain and a sore throat.

Young children tend to drool and avoid swallowing and may refuse to drink or eat because of the discomfort.

The Health Promotion and Education Officer further explained that measures used to reduce the spread of HFMD include the frequent washing of hands by both parents and children.

“The prevention methods are similar to what would have been practised to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). [These include] washing of hands with soap and water after using the toilet, after changing a diaper, before eating and preparing meals and after handling a sick person, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands,” he outlined.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, says the new school term, which began on Monday (January 3), got off to a good start with lessons being delivered via online and face-to-face learning modalities.

She informed that the Easter term commenced with 608 schools opening for face-to-face classes. Of this number, 568 are primary, 10 infant and 30 secondary schools across all seven regions.

“There are still many schools that are in the online mode so we have 173 primary schools and 120 secondary schools that have engaged students using the online modality,” Mrs. Williams noted, while addressing a virtual post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (January 5).

The Education Minister pointed out that so far, the majority of schools that are back in the face-to-face environment have reported no issues.

“There are … 23 schools that reported that students or teachers … called in to say that they have flu-like symptoms and were remaining at home,” she said.

She noted as well that one principal had tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and is remaining at home, and in another instance, a teacher informed of being quarantined at home.

In terms of the turnout of pupils for face-to-face classes, Mrs. Williams said that full attendance is being reported in the smaller primary schools, while attendance in the larger schools is relatively low.

“But, again, these are early days in terms of school reopening and because schools are using the rotation approach and the staggered resumption, this is what we would expect. As the days go by, we’re expecting to see more and more of our students back into the face-to-face environment,” she said.

In the meantime, Mrs. Williams informed that despite the vaccination efforts, which saw over 200 vaccinations blitzes being conducted across secondary schools, only 32 per cent of the secondary cohort was vaccinated up to the end of December.

“We are still continuing vaccination efforts in our schools but … that 65 per cent target is something still to be worked towards. However, we have indicated that all students can come back into the face-to-face environment,” she said.

The Education Minister continues to advise Jamaicans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The truth of the matter is, we can end this pandemic. We know it’s within our reach to do so but we have to do those things that will cause it to end and one of those is to become vaccinated,” she stressed.

She further implored parents and adults, in general, to emulate students who have been adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.

“I think our children get it. When I see them in school and even outside of school … they get the mask wearing, they get the hand washing, they get the physical distancing. It is incumbent on us as adults and as parents to follow their lead to protect ourselves, to protect them and to get the vaccines,” she said.

The Education Minister pointed out that billions of people around the world have taken the vaccines and they remain strong and healthy.

School Reopening Meeting Schedule

 

The table below illustrates the dates and time for meetings scheduled by each Region with school principals.

 

Regions	Dates of Meetings
1	Dec 30, 2021 9 am- Infant and Primary schools; 12noon: secondary schools
2	Dec  29, 2021 11 am; secondary schools Dec 30 10 am primary and infant schools
3	Dec 30, 2021 Primary & infant and secondary
4	Dec 30, 2021  10 am: primary & infant schools; 12 noon secondary schools
5	Dec 30, 2021 11am : primary & infant, and secondary
6	Dec 30, 2021 9am primary and infant schools; 1 pm secondary principals
7	Dec 30, 2021 1pm: primary & infant, and secondary

 

Minister’s Meeting with the eCOVID Taskforce

 

December 30, 2021 @ 2pm

 

Minister’s Meetings with Board Chairmen and Principals

 

December 31, 2021:

 

9:30 to 10:30am – Board Chairmen for Infant, Primary and Secondary

Schools

 

11am to 1pm – Principals of Secondary Schools

 

2pm to 3:30pm – Principals of Infant and Primary Schools