Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, says that the Government is committed to using technology to improve the skill sets of the island’s citizens.

Dr. Morris Dixon was addressing a session on the final day of the TechBeach Retreat, at Secrets Resort in St. James, on Friday (December 6).

“We’re embedding a lot of technology, especially in skills training. So, if you’re looking for skilled workers, we produce them and we’re going to continue producing them at this level, because for us, improving the skills quotient of every individual is important to the development of the country. This is very deliberate. We are very committed to it. We’re not turning back from this,” the Minister said.

“In the area of artificial intelligence (AI), as a Government, we were quite forward thinking and we decided to have an AI Task Force, because we felt we can’t be left behind as a country. Our practice always says, Jamaicans are consumers of technology,” she added.

The AI Task Force’s main function is to conduct research in the area and provide an evidence-based foundation for the development of a National AI Policy.

Dr. Morris Dixon also underscored the importance of the island becoming a producer of technology.

“You can’t become a producer of technology if your schools don’t have tech in there. You can’t become a producer of technology if you don’t have the right equipment in the schools, so we get it, and we must do better,” she said.

In this vein, the Minister pointed out that the Government has been increasing the focus of technology in primary and high schools across the island.

“This is the future that we want to see. So, we’re starting from very young in primary school, introducing technology there and focusing more on technology and focusing on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and critical thinking and problem-solving elements. Then in high schools, layering more and bringing the skills training closer to the high schools,” she informed.

“There must be human capital development. You’re going nowhere without your people, and so we must focus on our people and develop our people. It starts in our schools, and it goes into our tertiary institutions, and it goes into the workplace and the work we do in upskilling and reskilling the workers that are there,” Dr. Morris Dixon argued.

The TechBeach Retreat was held from December 4 to 6 and brought together technology-based entrepreneurs, investors and innovators who shared best practices and information about new and emerging technologies.

Fifty-six high schools are being targeted under a tactical programme being implemented by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information to significantly enhance student performance in Mathematics and English language in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Portfolio Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, provided details during the recent post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in St. Andrew.

She said that the 56 institutions chosen were those assessed as “not satisfactory” in the National Education Inspectorate (NEI) reports.

“Those are the ones that have been identified for the interventions, which include helping the teachers to teach new methods. We are also going in and helping the principals, we are supporting the students more, we are having… some of the master teachers assisting them more, so its multifaceted,” she said.

Acting Chief Education Officer, Dr. Terry Ann Thomas Gayle, noted that the tactical programme in the 56 high schools will involve doing more handholding with the principals, heads of departments, and the students.

She said that among the elements are extended learning and teacher support, accountability, performance tracking and celebrating achievements.

“So, we are looking at extended learning…to a minimum of five hours for mathematics and English language. We’re also looking at students doing extended activities outside of the regular school curriculum delivery [such as] camps, webinars, one on-one sessions with experts in the areas,” she outlined.

Dr. Thomas Gayle said the tactical approach “treats each student at the level where they are. It treats each school at the level at which you get the students and how you move them towards that success that we will reap come the June exam.”

She pointed out that educators are being further trained to support the needs of students.

“We have begun training in professional development. Our heads of departments for English language and mathematics, they have begun several rounds of training as it relates to curriculum delivery, unpacking the curriculum, and customising the curriculum to the level of the students that they have under their charge,” she noted.

Dr. Thomas Gayle said that the activities will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months.

She encouraged all stakeholders to support the programme, which is expected to yield improvements in the targeted subject areas. She noted that a similar intervention has been used at the primary level.

“When we got the 2022 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) data for grade five and we saw how the students performed, we used the same approach at the primary level and we saw the [improved] performance at grade six.

“We believe that our high schools are more than capable of improving the students and so, we are comfortable and we are optimistic that this will yield the success that we so desire,” Dr. Thomas Gayle said.

Meanwhile, she is also encouraging persons to visit the Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) website at https://volunteer.trend-ja.com/ to lend their support to the education transformation process.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has awarded 14 top performing students sitting this year’s May/June Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) external tests. 

The students, who hail from Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, were celebrated during CXC’s 2024 Top Awards Ceremony in St. Lucia on Thursday (December 5).  

Shanoya Morgan of St. Andrew High School for Girls, received the Menezes-Rodney Award, presented to the most outstanding candidate in CSEC History.  

Montego Bay Community College’s Noella Brown earned the CAPE award for most outstanding candidate in Humanities.  

This year’s most outstanding candidates in the CAPE and CSEC examinations, Aniyah Couchman and Dave Chowtie, respectively, hail from Queen’s College in Guyana.  

Aniyah achieved Grade One in 20 subjects and Grades Two and Three in one subject each. Dave scored Grade One in 25 subjects and Grade Two in four. 

In his address, St. Lucia’s Minister of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Hon. Shawn Edward, commended the students on their “remarkable achievements.”  

“Your achievements stand as a testament to your hard work, discipline and unyielding commitment to excellence. You have proven that with determination, resilience and an appetite for knowledge, the highest levels of academic success are possible at your school, in your country and in the wider Caribbean region,” he said.   

Mr. Edward told the awardees that this success is not the culmination of their journey, but rather a significant milestone which should fuel their passion for greater accomplishments and accolades.  

“Let this moment serve as both a recognition of your success and a springboard for even greater achievements,” he underscored. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Edward said CXC has played a pivotal role in advancing educational excellence by being a beacon of academic rigour, innovation and cultural relevance, adding that the institution must be supported as the region prepares for the future.  

“It is our collective responsibility – parents, educators, policy makers and the Caribbean Examinations Council – to create an environment that nurtures talent, fosters innovation and ensures that every child in the Caribbean has access to quality education. Let this evening’s celebration inspire us to work together to build a region where academic excellence is not the exception, but instead the norm,” Mr. Edward stated.  

For his part, St. Lucia’s Prime Minister, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, charged the awardees to tackle critical Caribbean issues.  

“In St. Lucia and in the Caribbean, we are seeing some negative things – male underperformance, high dropout rates and the rise of gun-related crimes. This is not just one person’s problem or one country’s problem, it is everyone’s problem. We are witnessing this across the entire Caribbean region and it’s a matter that you, the brightest minds, as well as our institutions must put thought to and ask ‘what can I do to help?’” he said.  

Mr. Pierre noted that it is a struggle that politicians and Prime Ministers have to face daily, emphasising this as a matter that must be solved if the region is to sustain and grow Caribbean civilisation.  

“Whatever you pursue, remember the purpose of knowledge. It must be for the betterment of our humanity and betterment of our civilisation. Whether you choose to pursue agriculture, finance, medicine, engineering, law, whether you choose to develop artificial intelligence or produce works of art, whatever you pursue, do it with passion and do it for the greater good of all,” Prime Minister Pierre said. 

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, says effective leadership at any level is critical in deciding success or failure within an organisation.

Senator Morris Dixon, during a recent visit to the Green Island High School in Hanover, as part of a tour of schools in Region Four, which includes the parishes of St. James, Hanover, and Westmoreland, underscored the invaluable role of effective leadership in shaping the educational landscape.

“Leadership is critical to the overall success of an institution,” the Minister said, highlighting the impressive progress made at Green Island High.

“With strong leadership and a dedication to innovation, Green Island High School serves as a shining example of what is possible when a community comes together to support its youth,” the Minister added.

She praised the collaborative efforts of the principal, teachers, and the school Board, noting that their unified vision is evident in the school’s achievements.

The Minister pointed to Green Island’s impressive achievements in the performing arts, expressing her delight at the school’s dedication to this area.

She argued that the arts play an essential role in fostering creativity and self-expression among students.

Senator Morris Dixon also noted that the performing arts not only enhance students’ educational experiences but equip them with valuable skills that can be leveraged in various career paths.

Minister Morris Dixon also highlighted the importance of technology in education, pointing out that the future of Jamaica’s students hinges on their ability to embrace innovative tools and methods.

“Technology is the future, and our students need to be equipped with the skills that will make them competitive in a global marketplace,” she emphasised.

The Minister praised Green Island High for its forward-thinking initiatives, which she believes are crucial for preparing students for the demands of the 21st century.

“It is clear that the teachers at Green Island High are dedicated to their students’ success. Their commitment to fostering a love for learning is evident in the positive interactions I witnessed today,” she added.

The Minister noted that her visit to the region comes at a time when the Jamaican education system is undergoing significant changes, with a renewed focus on improving outcomes for all students.

She said that by showcasing successful models like Green Island High School, she hopes to inspire other institutions to adopt similar approaches that prioritise leadership, innovation and collaboration.

“We must continue to invest in our schools and our teachers, as they are the backbone of our education system. Together, we can build a brighter future for our children,” Senator Morris Dixon added.

Students at José Martí Technical High School in St. Catherine are now benefiting from a $2.9-million upgraded library, which was facilitated through contributions by past students of the intuition.

The project was spearheaded by the José Martí Alumni Association New York Inc. (JMAANY), with support from various groups in the past-students association.

Their efforts resulted in the painting and renovation of the library, which included the installation of new windows, doors and an air-conditioning unit; donation of 20 laptop and 25 desktop computers; expansion of the computer room to facilitate the additional devices and building of a circulation area for the librarian.

Principal, Rev. Dr. Austin Wright, noted that the past students “have done extremely well over the past 10 years to meet the needs of the school and to assist the students”, during the facility’s recent handover.

“Thank you for what you have been doing. Today is significant in the life of the school, and we are grateful for your thought and vision,” Dr. Wright said, citing the gesture as a wise investment for the school’s 1,900 students.

Executive Member of JMAANY, Nordia Burke, said the project was a “labour of love”, as they recognise the importance of libraries in the academic journey of students.

She said they were motivated to raise funds for the facility after learning that the students’ access to library services was limited.

“We had to act. So, we embarked on this journey a year ago. We worked tirelessly to raise funds and received generous donations from individual past students. We are grateful for the support and proud of what we have done and hope that the students and staff will cherish and take good care of the facility,” Ms. Burke said.

Regional Director with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), Carrol Plummer, who was the guest speaker, underscored the importance of libraries in the educational, cultural and social growth of students.

“By nurturing their creative imagination; libraries are more relevant than before because of the vast information that is on the Internet. It is at the library that you will learn how to find credible information,” she said.

Meanwhile, teacher and librarian at José Martí High, Annette McDonald, said the library’s upgrading will benefit generations to come.

She said the past students’ gesture has made a difference, noting that the school now has a “resource-rich” library to aid in building the current students’ academic credentials.

“We will foster a culture of… learning…, and ensure the long-term relevance of this space,” Ms. Plummer said.

The Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC) is reviewing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) global and regional conventions with respect to the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education.

Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of J-TEC, Dr. Dameon Black, said the review is to assist in the “internationalisation” of the local tertiary education sector.

“When we speak to the internationalisation, it is not just about the whole matter of consuming, but also offering our educational products and services to others, inviting their citizens to [study] here, so that they might be able to receive of the quality that we have,” he said.

“We want to note that these two conventions, ratified, will assist us in terms of ensuring that the institutions here are able to facilitate and to move forward. We know and we have established quality, but sometimes, with the stamp of approval that these conventions have and how they tend to assist and facilitate, we’ll be able to better move forward,” he added.

Dr. Black was speaking at a Tertiary Education Forum on Friday (Nov. 22) at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

He said that J-TEC is also working on the development of a national qualification system policy, which would enable persons to build on credits earned during their academic journey.

“We have had a history in Jamaica, where certain qualifications are esteemed higher than others. But what tends to happen when you have such a system is that many persons who have concluded other qualifications are not able to move forward or we have the situation where persons… may drop out at a particular point in time, they have nothing to show for it and they then have to restart,” Dr. Black outlined.

“One of the things that this will do is to facilitate the recognition of credits earned and so at whatever point in time in the system that you exit, you might then be able to build from that point,” he said.

He noted that initiatives through the National Qualifications Framework of Jamaica, as well as the Qualifications Registry of Jamaica, will significantly assist the commission in achieving that objective.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, in her remarks, said “there is a massive job to do in making Jamaica globally competitive and that is what J-TEC is about”.

“Part of doing that is the quality assurance, getting the regulatory framework in place so that our programmes can stand to scrutiny. We have signed on to international treaties and agreements and we work with UNESCO. So, we have agreed, with some understanding, that we must make sure that the system is cohesive and it is reflective of the national and global agendas,” Dr. Troupe said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon (right), speaks with Grade 8 students of Holmwood Technical High School in Manchester during a visit to the institution on Monday, November 18. From left are: Jawanza Russell, Jaroni Dixon and Jordayne Nunes.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, presents the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) Alumni Award to Dr. Joseph Lindsay (centre), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Agriculture Education, Research and Development. Displaying the award citation is President of the Assocation, Everett Hyatt.  The occasion was the CASE Evening of Excellence Gala Dinner and Awards Banquet at the AC Marriott Kingston on Wednesday, November 13.

During the month of November, young persons will be the focus of attention as the nation celebrates Youth Month, under the theme: ‘Youth IMPACT 2024: Innovative Minds, Purposeful Action: Collective Triumphs’.

Organised by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, through its Youth and Adolescents Policy Division, the month-long celebration will recognise the remarkable contributions of young people, while empowering them to take actionable steps toward meaningful change in their communities.

Acting Senior Director of the Division, Yanique Williams, told JIS News that Youth Month provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the potential of young people who continue to drive progress and innovation across all sectors of the society.

“With the focus on empowerment, leadership and collaboration, the celebration will address critical issues affecting young people and inspire them to actively contribute to shaping a brighter future,” she explained.

According to Ms. Williams, this year’s theme is a clarion call for youth to take ownership of their future and contribute to resolving pressing social, economic and environmental challenges.

“By focusing on tangible outcomes, Youth IMPACT encourages Jamaican youth to embrace their agency and work together to create lasting, positive changes in their communities,” she said. The month-long activities are guided by a theme aligned to the primary objectives of the period.

The month aims to promote digital literacy and gender parity in the context of a more dynamic and innovative world; promote health and wellbeing amongst the youth, and encourage them to practise healthy lifestyle choices.

It promotes world-class youth entrepreneurship training, coaching and employment opportunities for young people, enabling them to learn and adopt best practices to improve their businesses; expand and deepen the quantity and quality of young persons involved in decision-making processes; and identify, harness and showcase the very best of Jamaican youth products and services to the nation, the region, and the world.

Youth Month 2024 will feature a variety of activities designed to inspire action and foster leadership across Jamaica.

Key events include the 15th Sitting of the National Youth Parliament, where approximately 70 youth parliamentarians will debate and propose innovative solutions to critical development challenges.

These representatives will serve as both Government and Opposition members, demonstrating their commitment to driving change.

Another highlight is the ‘Around the Table Discussions’, a series of dialogues that bring together young people and experienced business leaders.

This initiative offers a platform for networking, knowledge exchange and mentorship, equipping youth with the skills and insights needed to thrive in various professional fields.

The ‘Pon di Corna’ initiative will target at-risk and unattached youth, providing an informal space for stakeholders to engage with these young people.

Through on-site assessments and referrals to relevant social services, this initiative aims to support youth who need it most.

Global Night will foster regional and global integration by promoting cultural understanding and highlighting opportunities for youth in Jamaica and the Diaspora.

Representatives from various embassies and consulates will lead discussions on youth-related issues, such as climate change, employment and migration.

Students will also have the chance to participate in Leadership and Governance Capacity Building Workshops, designed to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance the effectiveness of student councils and other student governance bodies.

Additionally, several National Youth Month Forums will focus on important topics like crime and violence, youth investment opportunities and the inclusion of youth with disabilities.

The Annual General Meeting of the National Youth Council of Jamaica (NYCJ) will also take place, offering an opportunity for youth leaders and organisations from across the island to come together for reporting and training.

“Youth Month 2024 is not just a celebration, it is a call to action for the young people of Jamaica to take charge of their futures and their communities. Through a focus on innovative leadership, youth entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration, this year’s theme underscores the immense potential of every young person to make a significant impact,” Ms. Williams said.