JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is preparing for the administration of the 2021 Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA).

 

PISA is a triennial study of education systems, which is organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It involves administering a non-curriculum based assessment to 15year-old students to generate comparable data on educational systems across the world.

 

“We conducted a needs assessment to find out how prepared the (education) system is for PISA. The Ministry wanted to find out the benefits that we’ll gain, the readiness of schools for this activity (PISA) and also the tasks required in implementing such an assessment,” Assistant Chief Education Officer, Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Sonia Dobson-Walters, told JIS News.

 

She noted that the needs assessment helped in identifying the perception of stakeholders, the benefits of the nation participating in PISA 2021 and the required inputs for the successful administration of the assessment.

 

“We wanted to examine our concerns in comparison to other nations which have administered PISA, so we did a study tour to the Dominican Republic and Peru where we conducted a mixed-method evaluation with the Principals of past participating schools,” she added.

 

Mrs. Dobson-Walters said the Ministry has approached key education stakeholders such as the Deputy and Chief Education Officers, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), the Overseas Examination Council, local school principals and regional education officers for their input in the successful administration of PISA.

 

“PISA will drive policy and structural development within the education sector.    However, with regard to the input needed for the successful implementation of PISA,we will need an effective communication strategy to ensure stakeholders’ buy-in,” she said.

 

Mrs. Dobson-Walters pointed out that the Ministry has started to build the capacity to ensure that teachers can guide students in the use of the computers as the PISA assessment will be computer-based.

 

“PISA requires that we have a secure place to put information about students in regards to sampling and registration, so the local PISA registration and sampling committee is now in the process of retrofitting a software the Ministry has, to ensure that student information is secured,” Manager of theEducation System Transformation Programme at theMinistry,DayneaFacey, told JIS News.

 

Meanwhile, National Programme Manager, PISA, Marjorianna Clarke,said  that before the assessment, the Ministry will review the items students will be given.

“The purpose of this review and adaptation is to ensure that our students are not exposed to items that are not culturally relevant,” she shared.

 

Ms. Clarke highlighted that the Ministry will undertake and complete all necessary administrative tasks by 2020for the successful administration of PISA in 2021.

 

 CAPTION: National Mathematics Coordinator and a member of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) management team at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Tamika Benjamin (right), consults with National Project Manager for PISA, Marjorianna Clarke, at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ today (July 16). 

 

CAPTION: Manager for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Marjorianna Clarke, addresses recent JIS ‘Think Tank’.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, is calling on educators to assist in safeguarding the rights of children by exposing abusers.

 

Addressing a Child Protection Seminar, held today (July 18), at the University of the West Indies in Mona, St. Andrew, Mr. Terrelonge said when persons report suspected neglect and abuse of children, they are fulfilling their obligations under the law.

 

“If you suspect that a child is a victim of abuse, neglect or sexual violence, you have a duty and a responsibility to make a report. The law says you must call the police,” the State Minister told his audience at the Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ)-organised event.

 

He added that with more than 80 per cent of children being exposed to various forms of violence, it is an “alarming” practice that must end, and households must find different ways to discipline children, as studies have shown that many children who are victims of violence become perpetrators of violence and crime.

 

Mr. Terelonge said the society needs to join the move to end corporal punishment in schools, as that and other attacks are “doing more harm to our children” rather than achieving behavioural change.

 

“Let us discipline our children with love, have conversations with them, let them explain to you what their understanding is on missteps that they have made,” he said.

 

The event was used to launch the JFJ and the Ministry’s Child Protection Law Handbook for Educators and Childcare Workers.

 

Mr. Terrelonge said the publication sets out various aspects of the law to protect children and is easy to read, and that every school and childcare facility will get copies.

 

While encouraging educators to familiarise themselves with the book, Mr. Terrelonge underscored that if adults safeguard children’s rights and treat them with human dignity, which every one of us would want for ourselves, then we will have a safer, better and more prosperous Jamaica.

 

The objective of the seminar was to provide legal literacy and human rights sensitisation to justice stakeholders with interest in child rights and child protection.

 

The handbook provides clear examples of child abuse and highlights the obligation of adults to take action against suspected perpetrators.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (centre), in discussion with Head of Development Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, Walter Bernyk (right), at a Child Protection Seminar held today (July 18) at the University of the West Indies in Mona, St. Andrew. At left is Chief Executive Officer of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Rosalee Gage-Grey.

JIS: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government remains resolute in facilitating an inclusive education system that caters to the needs of all children, particularly those with special needs.

 

“The Government is very sensitive towards special needs education and towards providing the service. We acknowledge that we are not at the service level that we should be, but we are going to be increasing our budget. Indeed, this year we have increased the budget significantly for special needs education,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister was speaking during a visit to the Special Needs Department at Liberty Academy at the Priory in St. Andrew, on July 16.

 

Mr. Holness said the establishment of diagnostic and care centres to cater to students with special education needs is paramount, as these will assist in the delivery of special education programmes and services.

 

“The challenge that we have is that we don’t have centres like these spread right across the island in a geographically equitable way where the population can access. We are building one now at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland that will serve that end of the island, where there is a total underprovision of services,” he informed.

 

The Prime Minister reminded parents that the Ministry of Education has an obligation to provide an education to every single child, and encouraged them to make contact directly with the Ministry.

 

“In the old days, people would dismiss the child as being slow, and essentially consign them to a very dark future. Today, that is not the case and it shouldn’t be the case. Every child, regardless of their needs, can have an opportunity to fulfil themselves, and what we will be doing in facilities like these is to provide them with the means to be able to fulfil themselves and articulate in society,” he said.

 

He informed that in 2010, the Ministry of Education conducted an assessment to identify students with special needs.

 

“That assessment showed that 28 per cent of the population would have some form of special learning need ranging from very mild to severe, and based on that Child Find, we were able to place most of the students in facilities… and we have been very active in providing grants,” he said.

 

For her part, Special Needs Coordinator, Liberty Academy, Toni-Ann Millen, said the students and staff members were happy for the visit from the Prime Minister.

 

“This side of our programme deals with children with more moderate needs. We work on things besides academics, such as their self-help skills, their independence, their communication skills and their motor skills, to allow them to have a more meaningful use of life in terms of what they do,” she said.

 

The department caters to students who are autistic, suffer from Down’s syndrome, dyslexia, cerebral palsy and hearing impairment.

 

During his visit, Mr. Holness interacted with students and observed the delivery of instructions.

 

The institution offers an inclusive programme of education, catering to students between three and 18 years of age. The school operates kindergarten, junior, high school, and exceptional needs departments.

 

A church-affiliated institution, Liberty Academy at the Priory commenced operations in 1994. It functions as an outreach ministry of the Swallowfield Chapel.

 

Accredited by the Ministry of Education in 2001, the institution is also a registered non-profit organisation that operates under the guidelines of the Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association.

 

CAPTION: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), observes as teachers from the Special Needs Department at Liberty Academy at the Priory, in St. Andrew, Jami-Ann Genius (left) and Tamalee Hamilton (right), interact with students during a visit to the institution on July 16. To the Prime Minister’s left is Special Needs Coordinator, Liberty Academy at the Priory, Toni-Ann Millen.

 

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is rejecting as false, a recent report in sections of the media that persons at The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information have destroyed documents related to the Caribbean Maritime University since March of this year in a bid to impede investigations. 

 

All documents related to the Ministry’s engagement with the CMU whether through Memoranda of Understanding or service agreements have been made available to the relevant authorities as requested.

 

It should be noted that in keeping with normal Cabinet Office procedures when there is a change in Ministers within an Administration or when there is a change of Government all Cabinet Documents issued to outgoing Minister(s) are to be destroyed and a Certificate of Destruction with the list of the documents disposed of presented to the Cabinet Office.

 

This procedure was followed earlier this year consequent on a directive dated April 3, 2019 to Acting Permanent Secretary Dr Grace McLean from the Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Douglas Saunders, following the resignation of then Senator Ruel Reid as Minister of Education, Youth and Information.

 

The allegations that CMU-related documents were destroyed in an attempt to impede investigations are therefore false.

 

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is dismissing as inaccurate, claims published in a report in today’s Gleaner titled “Where’s the Cash?” in relation to the Career Advancement Programme. 

 

The statement attributed to the assistant bursar of Campion College that the school has not received any money related to the CAP programme is false.  The principal of Campion College, Mrs Grace Baston has since informed that she was not consulted by the media but rather her assistant bursar, who gave an erroneous report.  The principal notes that Campion should have received $1,600,000.00 for the scholars, and has confirmed that the school uploaded funds from the Ministry to its accounts on December 4, 2018 – $400,000.00 and June 17, 2019 – $675,901.88. The remainder is being processed by the Ministry for payment by tomorrow, Friday, July 19, 2019.

 

In a letter to Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Grace McLean, the principal apologised for the inaccurate report adding, “I have contacted Mr. Gary Allen, CEO of the RJR /Gleaner Communications Group, and he has agreed to print a correction of the statement in tomorrow’s paper.

 

Once again, I apologize, on behalf of the School Board for this error and for any embarrassment that this might have caused yourself and your team. Campion College has always enjoyed a mutually respectful relationship with the Ministry and trusts that this will continue.”  

 

GLEANER: State Minister in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Alando Terrelonge, is to spearhead a team that is to conduct a review of educational psychologists including social workers and counsellors within the sector.

 

Terrelonge made the disclosure while addressing a recent meeting of Commonwealth Youth Ministers’ in Marlborough, London where he met with the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry who was recently appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

 

Terrelonge raised the issue of mental health wellness within the Commonwealth region and its prevalence among youth with specific reference to Jamaica.

 

“There has been increasing cause for concern within the Commonwealth about the attention given to mental health and it is critical that youth are confident that policy is being considered to provide quality support.

 

“In doing so, we have to ensure that we are aligned with the best practices globally in having the requisite human resource personnel to treat and counsel our youth who may need intervention and more importantly that we have persons who are trained and able to identify symptoms and treat accordingly,” Terrelonge stated.

 

August 12 will be celebrated as International Youth Day and the state minister indicated that he intends to have mental health among youth to be a focal point of the scheduled activities in Jamaica.

 

World Health Organization (WHO) statistics indicate that close to 800,000 people die as a result of suicide each year with a significant percentage being young males.

 

Globally, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders affect 10 to 20% of all youth.

 

Statistics from WHO state that half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14.

 

Most symptoms go undetected and untreated which severely affect children’s growth and development.

 

“Too many of our youth who suffer from mental health issues are living in fear, shame, and isolation. They face discrimination and many resort to suicide, which is the third-highest cause of death among our youth each year.

 

“Globally it is a threat to the wholesome development of our youth and predominantly among young males. It is time we raise awareness, reduce the stigma and get our youth the help and treatment they deserve,” he added.

 

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CAPTION: Duke of Sussex Prince Harry (right) speaking with Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Alando Terrelonge, at a recent Commonwealth Youth Ministers’ meeting – Contributed photo.

JIS: Jamaica’s National Standards Curriculum (NSC) is rooted in the local context and is designed to meet the needs of the Jamaican learner. It allows for the interrogation of national requirements and international expectations and places them in local settings. More importantly, the curriculum focuses on developing the child intellectually, aesthetically, physically, and emotionally.

 

With this model, learners are placed at the heart of the curriculum, and it encourages independent thinking and pulls on interest and talent. The various disciplines, science, technology, engineering arts, and mathematics (STEAM), are interconnected and relevant to real-life situations. More importantly, the curriculum provides a clear and relevant pathway for learning and is flexible in responding to the developmental needs of each child.

 

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MoEYI), on February 26, 2019, replaced the Grade Six Assessment Test (GSAT) with the introduction of the Primary Exit Primary Exit Profile (PEP). It provides a profile of student’s strengths and weaknesses and their readiness for Grade 7. It assesses students’ knowledge, in addition to placing increased emphasis on assessing contemporary skills including critical thinking and communication. In a quest to sensitise the public, the MoEYI coordinated a series of sensitisation sessions of the NSC and its attendant assessment, the PEP. Stakeholders were engaged through various workshops, PEP camps, dissemination of materials, radio and television interviews, among other things.

 

On February 26, March 26-27 and April 16-17, 2019, students in the island’s public and private institutions sat for the first time the Ability Test, Performance Task, and the Curriculum-Based Test. More than 40,000 students were accommodated in 1,104 centres islandwide, under the supervision of a trained cadre of invigilators.

 

PEP STIMULATION CENTRES

Notwithstanding the work of the ministry and dissenting voices on its various approaches, school leaders have played their role in ensuring the full implementation of the National Standards Curriculum. Mark Jackson, principal of Ascot Primary in Portmore, St Catherine, has articulated that leadership matters and has brought into focus the behaviour and priorities of effective principals in ensuring that students, parents, and teachers speak with one voice as we are prepared and developed in this new approach.

 

An effective principal understands that while improving test scores is important the quality of instruction is equally important, for improving student achievement. Jackson indicated that there has to be a strong nexus between curriculum and assessment. His statement accords with Stiggins 1994; Valencia, 1990; and Wiggins, 1989, whose research indicate that authentic assessment is aligned with the curriculum. It assesses what we teach and what we value. As a principal, he ensures that assessment is integrated into daily instruction and classroom activities.

 

In fully embracing the NSC, Jackson has moved to making the alignment of instruction and assessment a culture of the teaching and learning environment of his school. In order to build on this culture, he has conceptualised the implementation of stimulation centres for the NSC and the PEP. These centres display how assessment involves real learning and exploration. Each centre is given a title (PEP-on’, ‘PEPfinity’,’ Hot-PEPpers’, ‘PEPperiffic’, and ‘PEPperville) to excite the imagination, develop creativity, and encourage curiosity in the children. Each centre is designed to reflect a real-world setting such as the beach, the park, rafting, treasure hunt and a play station. The centres are geared at stimulating students’ interest in academics. Fostering based on the material provided; and promote information, communication and technology. They also ensure the application of the 4Cs (communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity).

 

The centres form part of the learning environment that supports the learning activities appropriate to achieve the desired learning outcomes in the National Standards Curriculum.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL) has been integral in enabling Jackson to implement the stimulation centres across the grade levels. Having attended a recent training offered by the College and accessing the module on Effective Classroom Observation, he has sought to implement his action plan to put greater focus on instructional leadership. Jackson said, “The stimulation centers are but one of the strategies aligned to the Effective Classroom Observation Module that I have indicated in my action plan required by the NCEL. I must laud the college as it has allowed me to stretch my intellect in broadening the scope of this initiative.”

 

Jackson added that the students are able to go into the corners at leisure to access materials and work collaboratively in resolving real-life issues. He further stated that it has been serving its purpose and the teachers are pleased. He emphasised that exposure to the training and the attendant post-training requirements allow each principal to develop a workable action plan aimed at developing strategies within their schools to raise student performance. Jackson has seen incremental growth in his teachers and the enthusiasm and interest of the students where the NSC and PEP are concerned. As a leader, he desires to continue his growth and to learn as much as he can so that he can be even more credible for his students, teachers, parents, and the school community. He stated that “knowledge is infinite and change is inevitable. As an educator, you must stay current. NCEL raises your abstraction level. It stretches you to build your teachers and for them to become better.”

 

Jackson is happy that he has gained new skills and insights to make the NSC and PEP his everyday language in the school environment.

 

 Information provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.

 

 

 

JIS: The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III is providing $9 million to support youth engagement activities this summer.

 

The CSJP III is financing the operation of six summer camps and summer employment for more 800 youth from communities in which CSJP III is currently based.

 

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Friday, July 12, CSJP III Communications/Social Marketing Specialist, Patrice Tomlinson-Nephew, said the organisation is committed to supporting activities that benefit youth.

 

“Studies have shown that youth are the main perpetrators and victims of violence, and it is because of that we have gone straight to the target to make that difference in their lives. We support these activities with these kinds of curricula, because we are heavily focused on crime prevention, and once youth absorb what is shared at these camps, we believe there is a lower propensity for these youngsters to get involved in violent behaviour,” she argued.

 

Mrs Tomlinson-Nephew said 90 per cent of the camps, which will be held in July and August, are done in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

 

“These camps are coordinated by the JCF through the Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB). The different police divisions have their unique ways of engaging these youngsters throughout the summer, and through their targeted approach they have identified a cohort of youngsters, and we are providing the financial support,” she said.

 

The summer camps target children between the ages of six and 17 and they are engaged in a variety of activities focusing on the development of social skills, art, music, sports and technology.

 

According to Mrs Tomlinson-Nephew, the camps are aligned with the mandate of the Ministry of National Security.

 

“This lines up well with the Ministry of National Security’s crime-prevention measures in which they have heightened the use of music, sports and technology from a policy perspective, so these camps work well within the Ministry’s direction at this time,” she said.

 

The summer camps are coordinated by St. Andrew Central Division Sports Club, Kingston Western Division, St. Andrew South Division, Kingston South CSSB, St. James Division, Kingston Eastern Division and the Office of the Children’s Advocate.

 

CAPTION: Communications/Social Marketing Specialist, Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III, Patrice Tomlinson-Nephew, addresses JIS Think Tank on Friday, July 12.

 

JIS: Ninety aspiring principals have been equipped with the skills and competencies to prepare them to assume leadership roles at the nation’s public schools.

 

These individuals, who were trained under the National College for Educational Leadership’s (NCEL) Aspiring Principals Programme, were presented with certificates, during a graduation exercise on Tuesday (July 9), at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus.

 

They are the fifth cohort to benefit from the 10-month training programme offered through UWI, equipping them with the Professional Qualification for Principalship (PQP).

 

Covered under the training are five critical areas of effective leadership for school success – transformational leadership, instructional leadership, organisational leadership, community leadership, and sustained school interventions.

 

Minister with responsibility for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Karl Samuda, who brought greetings, congratulated the graduates on achieving another milestone in their professional development and encouraged them to seek the assistance of the Ministry in executing their duties.

 

“If the facilities that you have at the school do not lend themselves to the growth and development of the whole child, then what I am expecting and pleading with you to do is to sound the alarm bell. Don’t take on the task of correcting difficulties that you are ill-equipped to correct because you need resources,” he said.

 

Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Grace McLean, in a message read by Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Barbara Allen, noted that the NCEL, through the training programme, is preparing educators to lead transformational change in institutions.

 

“We are mindful that we have a common goal of working towards the improvement of our schools. We want to applaud the team of NCEL for the work that they have been doing.

 

“The team continues to provide training and professional development programmes for leaders across the education sector, with a view of building on existing competences and keeping educational leaders abreast of current good practices and trends,” Dr. McLean said in her message.

 

She noted that an important aspect of transformational leadership is building a positive relationship with students.

 

“We cannot be excellent leaders if we do not work well with our students. We must listen and show that we care, so that students will be encouraged to excel,” she said.

 

“Transformational leadership must be the catalyst that encourages all stakeholders to give of their time and other contributions to improving the learning outcomes of our children,” she added.

 

In her remarks, Director of Programmes, NCEL, Dr. Cheryl McLaughlin, said the training seeks to provide highly trained, effective school leaders to ensure the best educational outcomes for students.

 

“In order for there to be a steady stream of highly qualified school principals, the national college, through the APP, has created a robust principal pipeline, which ensures the continuous availability of principal aspirants, who are able to fill these positions nationwide,” she noted.

 

Established in 2011, the programme seeks to adequately prepare individuals for the task of the principalship prior to their being in the post. The objective is to ensure that they have the competencies needed to operate effectively in an increasingly demanding environment.

 

The NCEL provides continuous professional development for leaders across the education sector with a view to building on existing competencies and keeping them abreast of current practices and trends.

 

CAPTION: Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Winnie Berry (right) presents participant of the Aspiring Principals Programme (APP), Fitzroy Abbott with a certificate at the programme’s presentation ceremony on Tuesday (July 9) at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge, University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus. Ninety participants from the fifth cohort graduated from the programme this year. The APP programme is hosted by the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL).

JIS: President of the National Parent-Teacher Association (NPAJ), Dr. Lennon Richards, is calling on parents to enforce the dress code that schools have established for students.

 

Delivering the keynote address at the St. Catherine-based Kitson Town Primary School’s annual school-leaving exercise on July 2, at the Kitson Town Baptist Church, he also cautioned against skin bleaching, emphasising its attendant health and identity issues.

 

“Parents, it is very important that your children are well-attired,” he told the gathering, adding that once the manner of dress is known to the school community, the children should not be allowed to leave home wearing clothes that are not acceptable to the institutions.

 

He called on fathers to stay close to the schools their children attend, and for all parents to do regular checks of their children’s school books, and to be “very mindful of the friends that your children keep”.

 

Dr. Richards, who gave personal awards of $10,000 each to the Top Female and Male Students of the Year, Nicollette Spencer and Chesnut Coombs, said the school-leavers must become “champions among their peers”.

 

Meanwhile, Chairman of the school Board, Reverend Norva Rodney, told the gathering that the school is on a “trajectory, and progress is being made”.

 

The Chairman said once communities in the area “show a positive appreciation for what is being done at the school, the institution will deliver”.

 

For her part, Acting Principal of the school, Janice Yates, said there is much to be celebrated, as despite the “newness” with the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations, students have been placed in schools of their choice.

 

“We are confident that our children will succeed, wherever they go. Students, remember your responsibility and to push towards excellence. Go forward with the discipline that we have sought to instil in you,” she urged.

 

CAPTION: President of the National Parent-Teacher Association (NPAJ), Dr. Lennon Richards (right), speaks with Top Female and Male Students of the Year, at the Kitson Town Primary School in St. Catherine, Nicollette Spencer and Chesnut Coombs, at the institution’s annual school-leaving exercise, held on July 2 at the Kitson Town Baptist Church. Also pictured (from left) are Chairman of the school Board, Reverend Norva Rodney; Parents – Nicola Spencer, James Spencer, Garfield Coombs and Avril Owens, and the school’s acting Principal, Janice Yates.