Children are being encouraged to build emotional resilience and speak about their mental health, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness expands its effort to provide psychosocial support in schools across the island.

This call was made by Team Lead for the Ministry’s Mobile Mental Health Service, Dr. Judith Leiba-Thomas, during the Ministry’s Wellness Day: Child Conversation event, held at Spot Valley High School in St. James, on May 15 to commemorate National Children’s Day.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and other government agencies.

Addressing students at the function, Dr. Leiba-Thomas underscored the importance of mental and emotional well-being, noting that it is just as critical as physical health.

“That’s why we go around and we try to blend into as many schools as we can, so that persons will see us and accept the fact that mental health is important,” she said.

Dr. Leiba-Thomas explained that the Mobile Mental Health Service, also known as the Wellness Express, is the first initiative of its kind in Jamaica and was designed to provide children with safe and private spaces to discuss emotional or psychological challenges.

“The Wellness Express is very unique, and we go around and give children an opportunity to come and talk to us privately if they’re suffering or if they just want to discuss something,” Dr. Leiba-Thomas shared.

She further pointed out that Spot Valley High School was specially selected to host the wellness celebration because of the institution’s strong partnership with the initiative.

Dr. Leiba-Thomas highlighted the collaborative effort behind the initiative, noting that the Ministries of Health and Wellness; Education, Skills, Youth and Information, and Labour and Social Security have been working together to strengthen mental health support systems for children, “and we are very proud to be part of this collaboration”.

Noting this year’s National Children’s Day focus on mental wellness, Dr. Leiba-Thomas encouraged students to develop “stronger minds” to secure a brighter future.

“There’s a big word for stronger minds called resilience… . It means the ability to bounce back,” she explained.

The Wellness Day: Child Conversation event formed part of activities commemorating National Children’s Day and focused on promoting mental, emotional and behavioural wellness among students.

A 26 member committee has been appointed to evaluate Jamaica’s early-childhood policies, programmes, and implementation levels using the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Early Childhood Care and Education–Progress Assessment Tool for Transformation (ECCE PATT).

Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, told JIS News that the diagnostic tool was launched on April 28, and the committee convened its first meeting on May 12.

The committee members are:
• Principal of St. Paul’s United Infant School, Nicholas Johnson
• Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Margaret Chin
• Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Winsome Gordon
• Head of Early Childhood Education Department, Shortwood Teachers’ College, Julene McLaughlin
• National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) President, Stewart Jacobs
• Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, Programme Manager, Roberta Ellis
• UNICEF Jamaica Education Specialist, Dr. Rebecca Tortello
• Child Advocate and National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison
• Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, Chief Executive Officer, Wilford Heaven
• Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation STEM Administrator, Dhira-Mae Brown-Douglas
• Director, Social Security, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Suzette Morris
• Chief Executive Officer, Barita Investments, Ramone Small-Ferguson
• Manager, Policy, Research and Project Management, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Racquel Artwell
• Senior Director, Agency Liaison and Monitoring Division, Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Desrene Williams-Taylor
• National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) Chief Executive Officer, Kaysia Kerr
• Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Education Specialist, Romane Sohan
• Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) Statistician, Research, Design and Evaluation Division, Yanique Cameron
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) North America and the Caribbean Vice President, Dr. Asiya Foster
• Senior Manager, Social Development, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Mona Sue-Ho
• Ministry of Health and Wellness Programme Development Officer, Family Health, Dr. Kemisha Shaw Kelly
• National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL), Camielle Michael-Patterson
• Chief Executive Officer of Christel House Jamaica, Taneshia Stoney Dryden
• Pro Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies, Mona, Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee
• Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (Children’s Affairs Policy Division) Senior Director, Hyacinth Blair
• Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Executive Director, Dr. Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes
• Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Research Manager, Shauna-Kay Williston-Hudson.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Williams Singh noted that leads have been appointed for four subcommittees, each representing one of the main pillars of ECCE PATT.

For Governance and Policy, ECC’s Senior Director, Regulation and Monitoring, Dr. Tracy-Ann Morgan-Smith has been selected.

ECC Manager of Early Childhood Development Assessment Services, Louri-Ann Robotham, has been appointed to lead the pillar on Access and Participation.

For Quality and Relevance, ECC Senior Director for Sector Support Services, Simone Ellis Dixon, will take the lead while ECC Manager, Early Childhood Development Training and Development, Nicole Morgan, will have responsibility for Personnel.

For the pillar on Quality and Relevance, ECC Senior Director for Sector Support Services, Simone Ellis Dixon, will take the lead. Meanwhile, ECC Manager for Early Childhood Development Training and Development, Nicole Morgan, will have responsibility for the Personnel pillar.

“All the committees for the four major pillars have met to start the process of analysing where we are in terms of the rating for the work being done and what further needs to be done,” Mrs. Williams-Singh said.

Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, is urging parents to maintain a balanced and responsible approach to technology use in the home, warning against over-reliance on devices as a substitute for engagement.

“We’ve learned, we’ve watched the data, and we understand that some of our children are around too much technology, especially at home, where they are on the tablets and the phones,” she said in an interview with JIS News at a Read Across Jamaica Day event at Brompton Primary School in St. Elizabeth on Tuesday (May 5).

She pointed to research indicating that excessive screen time at an early age can be detrimental to development.

“Children 0 to 2 should not be on any device. They should not be watching television. They should not be on a phone,” the Minister stated.

“So, parents, if you are looking at getting the brightest future for your child, you can’t use the phone as a babysitter. You have to engage with the children,” she emphasised.

Dr. Morris Dixon said that the Ministry is carefully calibrating its approach to technology in education, ensuring that it serves as a catalyst for progress without undermining essential developmental needs.

“We are learning that technology, no matter how beautiful it is, it is good, but it also has negatives to it, and at the Ministry of Education, we’re working to find that right balance, so that we are able to propel our children forward,” she pointed out.

She outlined ongoing efforts to modernise classrooms through increased access to digital tools and infrastructure, noting that students are responding positively to the interactive learning environments.

“We’re introducing a lot more technology in our schools through our labs and through even having our smart boards in our classrooms. A lot of our children like the technology, and they like to engage with it, and we’re doing more of that,” she said.

She noted that these tools are being carefully integrated to support, not replace, traditional teaching methods.

“Technology is important but technology alone is not a solution. Technology is a tool,” Dr. Morris Dixon said, noting that these tools are most effective when used to deepen understanding and bring lessons to life for students.

“It’s not technology for technology’s sake. It’s to supplement the learning. So, if a teacher is teaching a topic, they can go and they can show a video on that particular topic, and it enriches the entire class. That’s how we see it working,” she pointed out.

She told JIS News that the Ministry is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) learning assistant designed to support students beyond the classroom.

The initiative is intended to reinforce classroom instruction and strengthen independent learning, she said.

Parents are encouraged to play a more active role in fostering good reading habits among their children.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, in making the call, said that literacy development must be reinforced both at school and at home to ensure the best outcomes.

“You have to do your part at home. We’re doing our part at school so, let’s work together to get our children reading so that they can reach those big [goals] that I know every parent wants for their child,” she said.

The Minister was speaking to JIS News, while participating in Read Across Jamaica Day activities at Petersfield Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland on Tuesday (May 5).

Acknowledging that many parents struggle to get children to read, Dr. Morris Dixon said the challenge is one she understands.

“I get the question asked all the time by parents, ‘how do I get my child to read more?.’ We all know, the data is very clear, that children who read well at the early ages do better in mathematics and then will perform better generally throughout their academic life,” she pointed out.

The Minister said that parents must be willing to experiment with different approaches in order to spark children’s interest in books.

She said that parents must also lead by example, noting that children are more likely to embrace reading when they see adults engaging in the activity.

“You have to show what it is that you want to see from your children. So, if you’re not reading, it’s going to be less easy for them to read,” she contended.

Minister Morris Dixon further encouraged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s interests when selecting reading material, explaining that traditional book choices may not always resonate with young readers.

“Talk to them about what it is that they want to read about because sometimes they find the books that we’ve chosen absolutely boring,” she said.

She noted the growing popularity of graphic novels and illustrated books as alternative formats that can help cultivate a love for reading among children.

“You have new types of books where you have a lot more pictorial depictions of the story; they tell a story almost like a comic. So, you have to figure out what your child likes, what topics they like, and then what format they want to read in,” she suggested.

Senator Morris Dixon told JIS News that the Ministry has been supporting literacy development in schools by timetabling reading sessions and increasing access to books for students who may not have reading materials at home.

“We’ve also gone a step further in printing books that our children can read because, for so many of our children, the only time they see books is at school,” she said, noting that providing books for students has become a critical part of the Ministry’s literacy strategy.

Reaffirming the Government’s literacy goals, she said that the Ministry is working towards ensuring that every child leaves primary school able to read proficiently.

“No child is going to leave grade six not literate; that’s what all of Jamaica has to have as a goal,” she said.

Teachers at Lawrence Tavern Primary School were honoured with digital devices and classroom technology during a Teachers’ Day celebration, held on the school grounds in St. Andrew on Wednesday (May 6).

Thirty-six teachers at the institution received laptops courtesy of the Flow Foundation, while the school was presented with a BlackPoint smartboard through a partnership involving BlackPoint and Imperial Appliances.

Speaking at the handover, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, said the celebration served as an opportunity to recognise the important role teachers play in shaping the nation’s children.

The Minister said members of the Ministry team were able to visit classrooms and interact with students during the Teachers’ Day activities, noting that they saw “the best of Jamaica” through the work being done at the institution.

“When you go around the classrooms and you interact with the students, you see the best of Jamaica and it’s that way because of the teachers and the leadership of this institution,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon underscored that partnerships remain critical to improving the education system, noting that the Government welcomes support from corporate Jamaica.

“We can’t do education without partners,” the Minister said, while thanking BlackPoint and Imperial Appliances for supporting schools with smartboards and other resources.

She noted that the company is distributing 250 smartboards across the education system, with Lawrence Tavern Primary School being the first institution to benefit under the initiative.

“They’ve also said they’ll help us in other ways so we’re going to be expanding this partnership,” the Minister added.

Dr. Morris Dixon also expressed gratitude to the Flow Foundation for providing the teachers with laptops, explaining that the Ministry wanted to do something special for the educators in recognition of their dedication and service.

“We wanted to do something special for the teachers at Lawrence Tavern Primary… because they deserve it and it’s the least we could do,” she said.

The Minister pointed out that while the Ministry already has a programme to provide laptops for teachers, the devices presented during the Teachers’ Day celebration were intended as gifts to show appreciation to the staff.

Executive Director of the Flow Foundation, Rhys Campbell, said the organisation was pleased to support educators who continue to shape the lives of Jamaican children.

“Today…we’re giving 36 teachers brand-new laptops. We’re really excited about this because this is an opportunity for us to recognise the people who are changing the lives of our children and Jamaicans on a whole,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, BlackPoint and Imperial Appliances, Gul Mansukhani, said the company decided to assist schools after many educational institutions sustained damage during Hurricane Melissa.

He said the company imported 500 smartboards for schools across Jamaica, with 250 being handed over to the Ministry of Education for distribution to schools islandwide.

“The other 250 I personally will go and hand over to some of the schools in a couple months to come before September,” Mr. Mansukhani told JIS News.

He added that the initiative forms part of the company’s commitment to supporting education and helping schools recover following the hurricane.

For her part, Principal of Lawrence Tavern Primary School, Marlene Davis-Fairweather, described the occasion as a memorable and uplifting Teachers’ Day celebration for the school community.

“Today was really a wonderful Teachers’ Day here, as our school was chosen by the Minister and the team from Region One to share and celebrate our teachers here,” she said.

“Our teachers are really dedicated, hard-working teachers and have made an invaluable contribution to our community,” the Principal added.

Mrs. Davis-Fairweather said the laptops and smartboard will enhance teaching and learning at the institution.

Norwich Primary and Buff Bay Primary schools will compete for top honours in the final of the Portland Mathematics Quiz Competition on Thursday, May 7, at the Social Development Commission (SDC) Portland Parish Office at 9:30 a.m.

Ahead of the final, Boundbrook Primary and Mount Pleasant Primary will contest the third-place play-off.

The final marks the culmination of a parish-wide academic initiative that has engaged more than 30 primary schools across East and West Portland over the past four months.

The winner of the competition will walk away with the Championship trophy as well as various gift certificates and book vouchers. Additionally, top-performing students will also receive awards.

Now in its fifth year, the competition, which is implemented through a partnership involving the SDC, the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI), and the Norwich Community Development Committee (CDC), has established itself as a key programme promoting numeracy and critical thinking among students.

This year’s competition was held under the Mathematics Month theme, ‘Maths for All: Building Communities, Confidence, Competence, and Creativity’.

Participants engaged in written assessments, problem-solving exercises and live quiz rounds, aimed at improving computational fluency, conceptual understanding and critical-thinking skills. The programme also supports the national effort of the Ministry to improve student performance and engagement in numeracy.

Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at the SDC, Mandel McKulsky, said the competition underscores the importance of Mathematics in national development.

“We are pleased with the level of participation and the performance of the students throughout the competition. It demonstrates the value of engaging young people in meaningful educational activities that build confidence and problem-solving skills,” he said.

Mr. McKulsky added that the initiative reflects the SDC’s continued commitment to youth development and community transformation through education and partnerships.

He noted that similar programmes are being planned for other communities.

“More than 50 communities are targeted for similar youth-focused activities, and programmes are scheduled to take place across Jamaica during the remainder of the year, reinforcing the Commission’s investment in building the confidence, creativity, and leadership potential of young people nationwide,” he informed.

The final is expected to attract students, educators, parents and community stakeholders as the parish recognises academic achievement and collaboration in advancing education.

The competition has received support from community leaders, elected representatives and private-sector organisations.

Students are being encouraged to serve as ambassadors of peace, promoting and practising peaceful conflict resolution among their peers.

This charge was delivered by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Marlon Morgan, during the handover ceremony for a 2026 Toyota Coaster bus donated to Port Antonio Primary School in Portland on April 28.

“We want you to be safe. We want you to grow up and, ultimately, become productive adults in Jamaica. What that means is that… you, too, have to ensure that you are well-behaved and responsible. So if you are in class or if you are in the schoolyard or out on the streets and you see two other boys and girls or whichever number of them having a dispute and you can step in and just usher a calm and appropriate word that will cause the two warring factions to not go down the route of escalating into violence, I’m imploring you to do so,” he said.

Senator Morgan voiced concern over the troubling trend of individuals recording or photographing disputes for distribution across social media platforms.

“We are seeking, as a country, to have more peace prevalent among us as opposed to violent and antisocial behaviour. So when you see the potential for violence emerging, play your part in ensuring that that is diminished and brought to an end. That is why it is important for you to be ambassadors of peace and step up in that regard,” the Parliamentary Secretary further stated.

He also encouraged students to report disputes to adults, such as their teachers or other staff members, to ensure conflicts are addressed appropriately.

“Embrace that posture of peace and escalate to appropriate authority figures any matter that need to be brought to their attention, rather than taking matters into your own hands and seeking to settle them on your own,” Senator Morgan said.

Pointing out that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, Senator Morgan noted that disputes and disagreements are a natural part of human interaction.

He emphasised, however, that what truly matters is how individuals resolve these disputes, utilising appropriate channels to achieve peaceful outcomes.

Teachers from the parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth, who were severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, have benefited from an $800,000 donation from Inova Solutions Jamaica, to assist with recovery efforts.

The support, facilitated by the National Education Trust (NET), is aimed at helping the educators rebuild and return to normalcy following the devastation caused by the storm.

It formed part of a broader effort to restore stability within the education sector in the aftermath of the hurricane, which has disrupted lives, damaged homes, and forced the temporary closure of several schools.

Executive Director of NET, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, in her address at the recent handing over ceremony held at Bethany Primary School in Manchester, said that while teachers are receiving the support, it is the students who will reap the long-term benefits.

“Teachers are the ones we entrust with our children every day, and their impact extends far beyond the classroom. This initiative recognises the importance of supporting them, especially in times of hardship, so that they can continue to provide the guidance and inspiration that students need,” she pointed out.

Country Manager for Inova Solutions Jamaica, Kiefa Gay Sandcroft, in her remarks, said that the company’s decision to assist was immediate once the extent of the hurricane damage became clear.

“When the call came, there was no debate,” she said.

“Communities were hurting, families were displaced, livelihoods were disrupted, and schools were closed. In moments like these, what matters most is action,” she pointed out.

She noted that the contribution, while it may seem modest, reflects the company’s commitment to supporting national recovery and standing in solidarity with those in need.

Miss Sandcroft said that Inova Solutions does not view its role as limited to business operations, but as part of a wider responsibility toward nation-building.

She commended NET and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information for moving swiftly to secure assistance for teachers, noting that supporting educators ultimately ensures that students can continue their learning uninterrupted.

Principal of Merrywood Primary School in St. Elizabeth, Marva McKinnon, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that several teachers suffered significant losses, including damage to homes and personal belongings.

She described the contribution as a meaningful gesture that will help educators begin the rebuilding process.

“This will go a far way for all the teachers who will benefit,” Mrs. McKinnon said.

“Some lost entire homes, others lost roofs, and this support will help them to build back better and stronger. We are truly grateful to the donors and everyone who made this possible,” she shared.

Inova Solutions Jamaica, a Microsoft Cloud and Managed Services partner operating across the Caribbean and Ecuador, specialises in information technology (IT) management, cybersecurity, and support services.

Sharing her own story of overcoming personal and academic challenges, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, has charged students to believe in themselves and pursue a path of excellence.

She noted that they will face obstacles but they should never give up.

“You will always have challenges, be it big or small. You may see us up here and feel we did it overnight and feel [it was done] by a magic wand; it’s not a magic wand. It was really about hard work and determination. It’s really about understanding that in life it’s not what has happened to you, but life is what you choose to become. Life is not about what others say about you, but how your successes make the noise for you. Your achievements must be the noise,” she said.

Dr. Troupe was addressing the Leadership Development Programme (LDP) Awards ceremony at St. Andrew High School for Girls where certificates were issued to 123 grade-13 students for successful completion of the programme.

Speaking to the students who are preparing for the next phase of their lives, the Permanent Secretary related her story of a tough childhood growing up without a father.

She did not pass for a traditional high school after sitting the Common Entrance Examination but allowed God to lead her while she bloomed where she was planted.

She rose to become head girl at Trench Town Comprehensive High School, where she was placed, and then a trained teacher after graduating with honours from The Mico University College and is now elated to help lead the Education Ministry.

Dr. Troupe credited teachers at Trench Town Comprehensive High for believing in her and pushing her to excel.

“I had no choice over which family I was born in, which school, all of those were chosen for me. That only choice I had was to maximise the experience I got [and] to be determined to excel,” she said.

“As I stand here this morning, I tell you my own story. I didn’t start out at St. Andrew High School for Girls. I didn’t get the Common Entrance in my days… I didn’t see my name in the paper. I cried… I had to dig deep. I did not get the opportunity of a traditional high school but I didn’t stop,” she pointed out.

“I recognised from very early that there was something deep within me. I had the pedigree for excellence. I never went to St. Andrew, so consider yourself privileged…; do not take this for granted,” she said.

She told the students to “remember that it’s not about where you have started, it’s about where you are going. That’s understanding resilience. You cannot stop on the journey because it is not going your way. It will not always go your way”.

For her part, Principal, St. Andrew High School for Girls, Keeva Ingram, urged the students to learn from and be inspired by Dr. Troupe’s story.

“One of the things I really appreciated was her own life experience and sharing her path but she made a decision to choose her own success. It was really encouraging for the girls to hear that you can achieve what you set your mind to, and I think that is very important for them,” she stated.

The LDP helps students transition more effectively to the world of work, college and university through participation in 20 hours of community service and talks, workshops on important topics led by experts in various field.

At the end of the two-year programme, each student is required to present a written report on their community service and they receive a certificate of participation as proof of their successful completion.

Following this awards ceremony, the school opened the multimillion-dollar Lois Lake-Sherwood Centre built in honour of the late well-known businesswoman, philanthropist and past student.

The space will be dedicated to harnessing the skills of students with an interest in the performing arts.

Glenmuir High School in Clarendon has received a donation of US$100,000 from the Burnett Family Foundation, to assist with the repair of the institution’s auditorium roof, after it was damaged by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The contribution was formally handed over during a ceremony held at the school on April 13.

Facilitating the initiative was the National Education Trust (NET), which continues to play a critical role in mobilising resources and coordinating partnerships aimed at strengthening education infrastructure.

The organisation has been instrumental in bridging support between donors and schools, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, underscored the significance of the donation, noting that the funds, valued at more than J$16 million, represent a powerful act of generosity.

She said that the Burnett family could have chosen to spend the money in numerous other ways, but instead opted to invest in the future of Glenmuir High School and its students.

The Minister of State also commended the leadership and academic tradition of the institution, describing Glenmuir as a long-standing beacon of excellence within Jamaica’s education system.

She praised the Acting Principal, Howard Edwards, and the wider school community for their continued commitment to maintaining high standards and expressed confidence that the donation would be effectively utilised under their stewardship.

In his remarks, Head of the Burnett Family Foundation, Dale Burnett, explained that the contribution was driven not by wealth alone but also by a deliberate choice to give back to Jamaica.

He encouraged students and members of the wider community to adopt a spirit of generosity, urging them to “lift as they climb” rather than waiting until they have accumulated significant wealth before making a difference.

Mr. Burnett called on members of the Jamaican Diaspora to play a more active role in supporting national development efforts.

Director for Donor and Partnership Management at NET, Keisha Johnson, highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, noting that the organisation works closely with donors to ensure transparency and accountability.

She commended the Burnett Family Foundation for its commitment and expressed optimism about the potential for a long-term partnership that will continue to benefit the school.

For his part, the Acting Principal welcomed the donation, describing the auditorium as a vital space for both academic and cultural activities.

Mr. Edwards noted that restoration of the roof is critical to preserving a central hub for assemblies, graduations, and community events.

Head Boy, Javier Johnson, expressed gratitude on behalf of the student body, noting that the contribution represents not just financial support but an investment in the future of the institution and its students.