The Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School in St. Catherine has reached out to two primary schools in St. Elizabeth with relief supplies, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28.

Principal of Marlie Mount, Calvin Harris, told JIS News that the items included educational supplies such as school bags and clothing, as they wanted to provide more than the care packages to the institutions, Pedro Plains Primary and Barbary Hall Primary School.

“We have done 147 gifts for the Pedro Plains Primary School, and another 87 for the Barbary Hall Primary, and then we gave a lot of shoes. We had two barrels of shoes, separate and apart from other bags that we had with clothes and shoes,” he said.

Mr. Harris said they also distributed the “normal stuff with the care packages, where we had the toiletries, we had food items, the rice, the sugar, the tinned products and water that were distributed to students, teachers, and community members”.

The Principal noted that the items were sponsored by teachers, parents and students at his school.

“I remembered one parent commenting that Christmas is here early for her child, and another one said she didn’t have to buy any gifts for her children this year,” Mr. Harris said.

Principal of Barbary Hall Primary, Mariann Chambers-Smith, told JIS News that teachers and parents in her school community are “very grateful” for the donation made to them, and “we must say special thanks to Mr. Harris for reaching out to us”.

“He could have chosen other institutions, so we are very grateful that he considered Barbary Hall Primary and Infant School as one of the schools to assist. It is simply saying that Marlie Mount Primary is selfless, that they go beyond to share love and to give help, and that distance is not a barrier to show that you care in times of disaster and in times of need,” Mrs. Chambers-Smith said.

For his part, Principal of Pedro Plains Primary, Wilton Smith, said it was a wonderful experience, because a lot of the parents and community members had a “rough time after the devastation of

Hurricane Melissa, and we are indeed extremely grateful for this gesture by Principal Harris and his team”.

“The atmosphere was overwhelming; it was warm and nice. Parents, teachers, community members, and students were grateful for the packages and the gifts that were received,” Mr. Smith said.

Community groups, churches, past students’ associations and diaspora partners have played a critical role in strengthening the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s recovery efforts across Region Four following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Regional Director, Dr. Michele Pinnock, told JIS News that schools in the parishes of St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland have benefited from widespread support as they work to restore teaching and learning, noting that “everybody is partnering with our schools”.

She said that the assistance from both local and overseas partners is helping to address immediate needs while reinforcing morale within school communities.

“We have the past students’ associations and, of course, the Jamaicans in the diaspora that have actually reached out and they are wanting to help,” she pointed out.

Dr. Pinnock noted that this spirit of cooperation includes schools from other parts of the island, with students and staff travelling to the western parishes to offer assistance.

She noted that the support includes acts of encouragement aimed at helping students cope emotionally after the disruption, with children in the other parishes sending letters and drawings.

Dr. Pinnock said the Ministry is also strengthening engagement with parents to ensure that students remain supported at home as schools stabilise.

“We’re going to be having a number of parent sessions and we’re going to be having those virtually as well as face-to-face,” she told JIS News.

She noted that schools are also being encouraged to re-establish designated spaces to support parents directly.

These spaces are intended to help families access guidance, ask questions and connect with additional support services where needed.

“These are spaces where we actually help our parents to network with other resources,” Dr. Pinnock told JIS News.

She noted that the Ministry is also promoting the use of national learning platforms to support students academically as recovery continues across Region Four.

“We have the Book Fusion website; we have the JamLearning; we have the learning passport,” she told JIS News.

She noted that high-school students also have access to virtual instruction.

“One Academy, National Virtual School – they have live sessions that are open to high school students once they have their ministry email addresses,” she pointed out.

The Regional Director said that the combined support from communities, parents and national resources continues to strengthen the region’s ability to stabilise learning following Hurricane Melissa.

Four retired educators at the St. Catherine-based Jonathan Grant High School, who have contributed a combined 130 years of service, have been honoured by the institution.

The retirees, who have each served 30 years or more, are former Vice Principal, James Davis, 34 years; Textbook Administrator, Ivorene Neil, 33 years; Internal Examination Coordinator, Olive Simms, 33 years; and Textbook Administrator, Cheryl Brown-Harper, 30 years.

Acting Principal, Cheryll Shippey, expressed gratitude to the honourees for their service, noting that “your tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed”.

“Your passion, your commitment and love for education have inspired countless students, and your legacy will live on in the hearts of all who have the privilege of knowing you. Thirty years at Jonathan Grant High School is a lifetime for some persons, and for having these persons serving 30 years and more at one place, it is really a commitment,” she stated.

She was addressing the school’s 45th anniversary event held on Wednesday (Dec. 17) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.

School Board Chairman, Denworth Finnikin, also expressed gratitude to the retirees for their service.

He noted that through their contribution over the decades, the educators have enabled hundreds of graduates to “take their rightful place in society.”

Mr. Finnikin said that institutions are not defined by buildings, but by the people “and it is your professionalism, your integrity and commitment that have made this school, Jonathan Grant High School, a respected and trusted school in our country.”

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) treasurer and past student, Roshell Peart, said it is fitting that, as the institution celebrates 45 years of existence, it is also honouring the legacy “of four extraordinary persons who have dedicated more than 30 years [each] in shaping young minds at Jonathan Grant.”

Past student, Tisha Miller, who left the school with 14 subjects, and is now a third-year student at Mico University College, said she had good experiences with all the educators during her time at the institution.

“However, Mrs. Brown-Harper really stood out to me, because she really assisted my family with a lot of issues that we had throughout the time at Jonathan Grant High School,” she said.

Lauding the honourees for “dedicating not just years but decades to shaping lives, minds and futures,” educator and author, Daphne Ellis, who delivered the keynote address, told the honourees that their legacy is in the lives that they have touched.

“The colleagues you mentored, the programmes you initiated, the committees you served on, the projects you spearheaded, the students you refused to give up on, that is your legacy. Your decision to remain in Jamaica, invest in your knowledge and skills, and your passion in our young people, that too is your legacy,” she added.

Ms. Ellis lauded the institution for attaining 100 per cent passes in six subjects in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

Responding on behalf of the honourees, Mrs. Brown-Harper said that over the years spent at Jonathan Grant High School they became more than just colleagues.

“We are friends, mentors, and we are family. To those we leave to carry the torch, our parting advice is, never stop learning. Support each other and always carry forward the legacy of hard work and dedication,” she said.

The Corinaldi Avenue Primary School in St. James is pressing forward with a learning recovery plan following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

In an interview with JIS News, Principal Deon Stern Anglin said in the aftermath of the hurricane, which caused extensive damage on the grade-one and grade-two blocks, the institution’s staff have moved quickly to regroup and strategise.

Classes resumed on November 24, and the turnout has been growing since then.

“We have brought back the children … [The first day] we have got over 75 per cent of our cohort. On Monday [December 8] we had 900-odd students,” Mrs. Stern Anglin said.

With two grade levels displaced due to the damaged block, the school has implemented an adjusted rotation system to support learning.

“Grade one is very important, just as grade six. If the children don’t get the foundation, the ending is not going to be pretty,” Mrs. Stern Anglin pointed out.

As a result, grade-one students now attend school alongside grades four, five and six while grades two and three alternate.

The principal noted that to further support exam preparation, the grade-six cohort has been given extended hours.

“We dismiss at one o’clock for everybody, but our grade six goes one hour more. We don’t want the children on the road late because some places haven’t gotten back electricity,” she pointed out.

Mrs. Stern Anglin said that the school’s culture of frequent assessment has placed it in a stronger position to address learning gaps.

“We test our children daily. Before Melissa, after Melissa, we do weekly tests… that will [address] the learning losses that we will have,” she said, noting that the assessment cycle will continue into the final days of the term.

“We are doing some testing now, so we will get those results by probably next week. [By then] we will know where the students are,” she stated.

Mrs. Stern Anglin expressed gratitude to the parents, the school board and staff for their continued resilience.

“Amidst everything, we have some real good parents. We have a good board, and the teachers are exceptional. We just want to give thanks,” the Principal said.

Scores of student leaders from Corporate Area high schools have benefited from training in conflict resolution and gender-based violence (GBV).

The session, held recently at the Haile Selassie High School, aimed to sensitise the young people about the core concepts of GBV, including how to recognise, distinguish, and respond appropriately to its different forms and to empower them to be agents of change in their schools and communities,

It was staged by the British High Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and the Ministry of National Security and Peace.

National Coordinator, School Safety and Security Branch in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Richard Troupe, said that the training and sensitisation session was in keeping with the Ministry’s commitment to addressing the issue of violence in schools, particularly GBV, noting that there is a lot of silence in communities surrounding the issue.

“Gender- based violence is very real to our schools [and] to our communities. We want to make sure that we are participating in a process, we are leading a process, we’re guiding a process to build the awareness of our students, our educators, our communities,” he said.

Mr. Troupe noted that parents were invited to participate in the session “because sometimes, what is demonstrated in our schools, is the lived experiences of our children”.

“We know that the violence in our homes and the violence in our communities will impact the violence in schools. And so, we believe that our efforts within schools must also focus on the violence we are seeing in our homes and the violence we are seeing in our communities,” he emphasised.

“Until we do some things differently within our homes and our community, then what is manifested in our schools is seen as normal, natural behaviour,” he contended further.

Mr. Troupe said that the Government was pleased to have been invited to partner with the British High Commission in the training of the student leaders.

Principal, Haile Selassie High School, Anniona Jones, who spoke with JIS News, said that the institution welcomed the opportunity to host the session and participate in “any conversation that advances the lifestyle of young people”.

“Gender-based violence is quite topical, and, in a school like ours, this is the reality for many of our students. They’re going to be in relationships and they have to understand their roles as males and females, and how to interact with each other and deal with conflict,” she pointed out.

Mrs. Jones said that the training will equip the student leaders with the skills required to intervene in any conflict among their peers and to help resolve the issues before they lead to violence.

“Under the theme ‘Champions of Safety: Building Student Leaders Who Stand Against GBV’, the training session was part of activities under the UK-Jamaica Violence Prevention Partnership Programme (VPPP).

The six-year initiative, being undertaken through a £15-million grant, aims to support Jamaica in addressing the root causes of violence.

The training was also in keeping with the Citizen Security Plan (CSP) and the Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy (IMSS) and reinforces the Government of Jamaica’s commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments across the education system.

It further aligned with the national observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The global campaign, which runs from the observance of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 to Human Rights Day on December 10, unites efforts to end violence against women and girls through awareness, advocacy, and action against various forms of abuse, including the growing threat of digital violence.

A smart greenhouse, equipped with the latest in agricultural technology, opened on Friday (Dec. 5) at the José Martí Technical High School in St. Catherine.

Established under the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) expansion plan, the facility will operate as a satellite greenhouse for schools in and around Spanish Town, offering access to advanced agricultural technology to enhance teaching and learning at both the primary and secondary levels.

Technical Support Officer in the Ministry, Dr. Nahema Daniels-Heath, who delivered the keynote address at the launch, said that the opening of the lab “marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter” in agricultural training.

The smart greenhouse showcases Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) integration in agriculture by providing students with hands-on, technology-driven experiences, preparing them for careers in agriculture, renewable energy and engineering.

Key features include automated precision-farming systems with real-time sensor monitoring; internet of things (IoT)-enabled data processing and remote management; and a 12-kilowatt solar energy system, supporting sustainable operations.

Dr. Daniels-Heath said the facility serves as a “living classroom powered by innovation,” noting that it is a model of modern agricultural science education.

She noted that through precision agriculture, automation and IoT technologies, students will have access to “real time data and hands-on experiences that mirror modern farming practices”.

“Renewable energy systems will support learning in STEM, while agriculture, engineering, plant science and technology come together in a seamless learning environment,” she pointed out.

Dr. Daniels Heath said that the greenhouse lab will equip students to contribute to strengthening Jamaica’s agricultural resilience and food security.

“The Eat Jamaican movement encourages us to support our farmers, value our local produce and understand the importance of growing what we eat. This greenhouse helps students to appreciate their role in that national mission,” she pointed out.

The smart lab is a key element of the Ministry’s strategic vision to modernise TVET education in Jamaica through the establishment of cutting-edge exemplary labs.

Dr. Daniels Heath said that José Martí Technical High was selected as the flagship project based on its strong agricultural science foundation and long-standing partnership with the Ministry.

She noted that the institution, which has produced generations of innovators and nation builders, continues to shape young people who are academically grounded, technically trained and ready to contribute to national development.

The St. Catherine-based Jonathan Grant High School is celebrating 100 per cent passes in six subjects in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

These are Agricultural Science, Building and Construction, Building Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, Physical Education and Sport, and Textile, Clothing, and Fashion.

Acting Principal of the school, Cheryl Shippey, in her report at the recent graduation ceremony held at the institution in Spanish Town, noted that there were 98 per cent passes for Food and Nutrition and Health; 91 per cent for English A’ and Information Technology (IT); 90 per cent for Integrated Science and Visual Arts; 85 per cent for Technical Drawing; 80 per cent for Human and Social Biology and Biology; and 71 per cent for Economics.

Overall, the pass rate was 75.9 per cent, which is an improvement over the 69.5 per cent of 2024.

“Five students passed with nine subjects; 19 students with eight subjects; 20 students passed seven subjects; 43 students pass six subjects; 42 students passed five subjects; and 54 students passed four subjects,” she told JIS News.

She noted that every effort was made to deliver a curriculum that was relevant and achievable, as well as enjoyable, in an environment that is supportive.

The Acting Principal commended the staff of the Mathematics Department, who, she noted, continue to work tirelessly to support the students.

“So, despite the challenges and the 20 per cent pass rate, they refuse to give up. Their dedication and perseverance have been inspiring, offering extra classes, weekend classes, maths camps and marathons to help students grasp complex concepts and achieve success,” she said.

Miss Shippey said that students also benefit from character-building activities through participation in clubs such as Jamaica 4-H, Science and environment, drama, health, arts, media, music, chess, dance, Inter-School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) and quiz.

The Acting Principal further lauded parents for their participation in school activities and for keeping students focused.

“The school had faced tremendous and significant challenges as we worked to keep your boys and girls focused on the task of teaching and learning. Thank you, parents, for your presence at the school, for your involvement and service to the school. Thank you for your role in making the community a reasonably safe place for our children, for being good citizens,” she said.

A total of 59 seniors have graduated from the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC)–HEART/NSTA Trust Digital Literacy Programme.

The programme, which equips seniors with the skills to confidently use smartphones, tablets and computers, forms part of the Government’s ongoing initiative to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive access for all Jamaican seniors.

The graduation ceremony was held on Friday (September 26), at the Stony Hill HEART Academy in St. Andrew, and was attended by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr.

In his remarks, Minister Charles commended the achievement, noting that the initiative empowers older Jamaicans to thrive in an increasingly digital society.

“This programme… really affirms that seniors are never to be left behind, particularly in the digital age. By bridging that digital divide, we are ensuring that you, our seniors, remain connected,” he said.

Mr. Charles emphasised that digital literacy extends beyond basic device usage, enabling seniors to connect with loved ones overseas via video calls, access essential health and banking services, and foster intergenerational bonds that strengthen families and communities.

He encouraged greater male participation in future training sessions, noting, “We had only three men in this cohort, and I would love to see more stepping forward… age should not be a barrier.” The Minister emphasised that age no longer limits one’s relevance in today’s digital landscape.

Mr. Charles reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive society through the expansion of training programmes, improved internet connectivity, and sustained support for initiatives that promote digital equity among older Jamaicans.

“To the graduates, may your new skills unlock information, joy, and purpose. To those seniors who haven’t yet started this journey, it’s never too late… and to families, we urge you to support your loved ones in embracing technology,” he added.

For her part, Executive Director of the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre, Professor the Most Hon. Denise Eldemire-Shearer, underscored the far-reaching and transformative impact of the training, stating, “A course like this gives our seniors autonomy and independence.”

Executive Director of the NCSC, Cassandra Morrison, commended the graduates for their determination and encouraged them to remain active learners.

“You have not only completed this digital literacy course, but you have shattered stereotypes and proven that there is no limit to learning. Your success today is a beacon to others and a reminder that seniors continue to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.

Ms. Morrison also expressed appreciation to key partners—including the HEART/NSTA Trust, Universal Service Fund (USF), and the Flow Foundation—for their continued support in providing devices, internet access, and computer lab infrastructure, essential to the programme’s success.

The graduation ceremony formed part of the activities commemorating Senior Citizens Month 2025, being observed throughout September under the national theme: ‘Respect, Protect, Empower, Connect’.

State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Crawford, has called on teaching institutions to work more closely with the Government to address the underperformance of boys in the education system.

She made the call during her first official assignment as State Minister at the Grand Gala for Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations, in St. James, on Monday, September 29.

“As a Ministry we do not presume having the solution to this question. We need institutions like you to help us to figure it out, as there’s so many questions that need to be raised,” Ms. Crawford said.

She noted that male students are underperforming in literacy and numeracy. Moreover, they are more likely to disengage from schools and are disproportionately represented among those who drop out before completing secondary education, according to the State Minister.

Ms. Crawford said this is not merely an educational issue, but a pressing national development crisis.

“Now, do we equip teachers with gender sensitive teaching strategies that acknowledge differently how boys and girls learn? Do we integrate more hands-on, skill-based and technology driven learning that excite boys and keep them motivated? Do we provide strong male role models in education so boys can see themselves reflected in their teachers and aspiring to excellence?” she asked.

She added that Jamaica cannot achieve its vision of increasing growth and prosperity if half of its young people are left trailing behind.

In the meantime, the State Minister indicated that special needs education is another area of critical importance.

She commended Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College for already producing excellent special education teachers.

“The future of teacher education in Jamaica must ensure that every teacher graduates with skills, empathy and creativity to support the students with exceptionalities. Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College is already well on the way,” Ms. Crawford explained.

“Special needs education must not be a side programme. It is not an afterthought. It must be part of the core DNA of training for our teachers,” she added.

Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s 50th Anniversary Celebration was held under the theme: ‘Celebrating Excellence, Advancing the Legacy’. The event featured a range of celebratory activities, including presentations and a balloon release to commemorate the college’s five-decade history as a pioneer of western Jamaica’s tertiary education.

Principal of the institution, Dr. Ricardo Bennett, praised the contributions of past principals and Board chairmen.

He pointed out the need for continued government support and robust alumni engagement, as the celebration underscored the college’s enduring commitment to educational excellence and its forward-looking vision for the future.

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is developing a special student card equipped with a built-in security alert feature, designed for use on rural school buses.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, who made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (October 1) Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House, urged parents to accompany their children to sign up for the card.

“It is that card that the students will start using very soon to swipe when they go on the bus. When they swipe that card, each parent will get an alert that they have entered the bus. They will get an alert also when they have left the bus,” she explained.

The National Rural School Bus Programme officially rolled out on September 8, with some 60 buses deployed islandwide.

Minister Morris Dixon expressed satisfaction with the programme’s implementation thus far.

“When I see the joy on our children’s faces when they go on [the school buses], I am reminded that the hard work of fiscal discipline actually can make lives truly better,” she said.

Senator Morris Dixon reminded Jamaicans that students will continue to ride the designated buses free of charge until the end of October. Thereafter, a subsidised fare of $50 per trip will be charged.

More than 200 schools are currently benefitting from the programme, with additional institutions set to be included in its phased implementation.

To support this expansion, 40 additional buses are expected to be deployed between September and November.