JIS: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, has charged educators to help boys realise their full potential by challenging existing norms and stereotypes with respect to constructs of toxic masculinity.

 

Mr. Terrelonge said that social and cultural factors have had negative implications on the learning outcomes of the nation’s boys.

 

He said that educators need to pay keen attention to those issues in an effort to “rescue our boys”.

 

“Sometimes, we throw our boys under the bus and say, ‘boy dem bad or dem give too much trouble’, whilst not recognising the cultural environment in which we live, which places a premium, unfortunately, on toxic masculinity.

 

This affects how our boys behave in the classrooms, in the homes and in the communities. I want all our educators to pay careful attention to this, Mr. Terrelonge said.

 

“Sometimes, the boy giving trouble at the back of the class could be the brightest boy in the class, but because of the social pressures he comes under – if you talk English too good, you’re a girl; if yuh nuh give nuh trouble, you’re a girl – it is that sort of toxic masculinity [that] somehow affects how our boys learn within the classroom and how they grow up and how they behave within their society,” he continued.

 

He noted that educators are well placed to provide guidance in the learning outcomes of the nation’s boys.

“As teachers… you are their mothers, you are their fathers, you are their guardians, you are their councilors… and so pay special attention to our boys. Sometimes they just need the reassurance.

 

“[Let them know] that it’s okay to learn, it’s okay to be yourself, it’s okay to excel. Let no one take that away from you. Perhaps that’s how we can connect more with our young men, by allowing them to be themselves and not pressuring them that the toxic masculinity is the way forward,” he emphasised.

 

Mr. Terrelonge was speaking at the Jamaica Teaching Council’s (JTC) education awards ceremony held at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, Sam Sharpe Square, St. James, on Tuesday (April 23).

The Education State Minister saluted the awardees for their “sterling service to education, and dedication that will enable many boys and girls to excel in various fields of study and profession in years to come”.

 

A total of 48 individuals and six institutions based in St. James were awarded for excellence in education.

 

Among the individual awardees are Director, Region Four, Dr. Michelle Pinnock and Education Officer, Patricia Mumby-Lalor.

 

CAPTION ONE: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (left) presents Education Officer for Region four, Patricia Mumby-Lalor, with the individual award for Excellent Service in Education at the Jamaica Teaching Council’s education awards ceremony held at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre on Tuesday, April 23.

 

CAPTION TWO: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (left) presents Principal of the John Rollins Success Primary School in St. James, Yvonne Miller-Wisdom (second left), with the Jamaica Teaching Council’s Institutional Award for Excellent Service to Education at an awards ceremony held at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, Sam Sharpe Square, on Tuesday, April 23. Sharing in the moment are grade -six student of the Institution, Oetivia Smalling; and grade-one teacher, Dania Brown.

 

JIS: Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Grace McLean, says Government will continue instituting policy changes aimed at tackling gender disparity within the education sector.

 

“Certainly, there have been specific efforts to focus attention on gender disparities in education. There is an emerging need to reflect and focus in a proactive manner on transforming attitudes, beliefs and behaviour patterns with respect to gender,” she said.

 

Dr. McLean further indicated that over the years, the Ministry, through the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) and Commonwealth Secretariat, “has done significant work as it relates to highlighting the differences between boys and girls, and really what we need to do to ensure that we focus and support both areas”.

 

She was speaking at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) 18th annual education conference on ‘Gender and the Teaching Profession: Implications for Teaching and Learning’ on Tuesday (April 23) at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in St. James.

Meanwhile, Dr. McLean said the Ministry will do more to address the continued underperformance of boys academically, with data garnered from research conducted by local gender and development specialists in academia.

 

“Our data show that our girls continue to outperform our boys. Data also show, however, that when our boys are gainfully engaged in activities, they become intimately involved in doing practical activities [and] then the results are far much better,” she noted.

 

Dr. McLean contended, however, that based on the extent of research conducted, “we are now at a place where we can seriously look at gender with the data available and [make] decisions as to how we can ensure equal opportunities for all our children… as we prepare them for life”.

 

She added that the Government intends to utilise recommendations developed during the JTA conference to improve on its policies and programmes.

 

“Let me extend congratulations to the Jamaica Teachers’ Association for, once again, coming up with an area that, as educators, we need to look at. I am looking forward to the decisions that will be made, or will be suggested, where the Ministry of Education Youth and Information can take these, reflect on our policies and make changes to, as it would be necessary for us to be able to continue to impact the lives of our children,” Dr. McLean added.

 

She further stated that the Ministry, through the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC), the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL), and its regional network will continue to work to ensure that the nation’s children are receiving the requisite support.

 

“Our mission is to encourage and help educators to continue to explore innovative teaching approaches that will result in making all our boys and our girls productive citizens, and providing for themselves and their families,” she said.

 

CAPTION ONE: Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Grace McLean (right), along with (from left) Assistant Secretary General in charge of Professional Services at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Dr Margaret Chin; JTA Past President, Nadine Molloy; Head of Business Banking at JN Bank, Ryan Parkes; Senior Lecturer and Head of the institute of Gender and Development Studies, University of West Indies, Mona, Dr. Lieth Dunn; and Deputy Secretary General in charge of Administration, Human Resource and Finance at the JTA, Dr. Charmaine Gooden Monteith, at the 55th staging of the JTA’s Education Conference at the Hilton Rose Hall, Resort and Spa, Montego Bay on April 23.

 

CAPTION TWO: Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Grace McLean, speaking at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Education Conference at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, Montego Bay on April 23.

JIS: The new $51-million structure, built to replace the Campbell’s Castle Primary School in Manchester, is being welcomed by students, teachers and the wider school community.

 

The two-storey building comprises four classrooms, a computer laboratory, principal’s office, staff room, bathrooms, a storeroom, and other facilities to serve the small student population.

 

Prefect at the school, Javelle Hewitt, told JIS News that the “dream of a new school has come true”.

 

He said that students are comfortable with the improved environment. “Every teacher and student is very pleased,” Javelle said, adding that with the fencing of the compound, the school no longer has to contend with stray animals.

 

Another student, Rihanna Mullings, said the school “feels better and there are new classrooms, new furniture, and more space to play”.

 

She expressed gratitude to all those who made the project a reality.

 

Principal of the institution, Petagaye Campbell, noted that “this project has positively impacted the entire school community. The edifice has lifted the students and community and has brought pride to all”.

 

She said that with the additional space provided, “the possibility for innovation is limitless”.

 

Meanwhile, Chairman of the school Board, Maureen Tomlinson, urged the community to take ownership of the institution.

 

“Once you take ownership of the school, there is no abuse and there is no vandalism, so we are calling on the community of Campbell’s Castle to take charge of your school,” she said.

 

For her part, President of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Camille Gregory Hall, pledged that the body “will take care of this building, because we have been longing for this”.

 

“I will definitely work with the principal, the staff, the children and the community to ensure its protection,” she added.

 

The school building project was undertaken by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information through the National Education Trust (NET).

 

The Government of Japan donated $13 million through its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security initiative, which provides grants for community development projects across various sectors.

 

CAPTION: Students perform a cultural item at the official opening of the new Campbell’s Castle Primary School building in Manchester, which was constructed at a cost of $51 million. Seated (from left) are Director of Donor and Partnership Management, National Education Trust (NET), Latoya Harris; Member of Parliament for South Manchester, Michael Stewart; Advisor at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Howard Chamberlain; Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki; and Principal of the school, Petagaye Campbell.

JIS: Director of the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris, is encouraging parents not to isolate, exclude or discourage a child with a disability, but to do everything to ensure that the child will be the best he or she can be.

 

He was addressing the recent launch of Child Month 2019, held at the GraceKennedy Office in downtown Kingston.

 

Child Month will be observed during May, under the theme ‘Encourage, Enable, Include Me’, with a focus on children with disabilities.

 

Senator Morris said he is very excited about the future of Jamaica, in the context of persons with disabilities. “There are a number of individuals and institutions getting involved and are making sure that the message gets out that children with disabilities can be whosoever they want to be and become a success story,” he said.

 

However, he said that “we have to encourage, enable and include these special children, so that they will be able to accomplish their dreams”.

 

Meanwhile, UNICEF Education Specialist, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, who brought greetings at the launch, said that Jamaica was the first country to ratify the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in 2007, and that was followed by the National Disability Act in 2014.

 

She noted that in recent years, UNICEF Jamaica has proudly supported the development of a revised curriculum for children with moderate to severe learning disabilities, with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.

 

Several activities will be undertaken in May by the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), along with several of its partners and sponsors.

 

Highlights of the Month will be the National Church Service, which will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the Kencot Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10-12 Osbourne Road in Kingston, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Churches across the island are being encouraged to host services focusing on children during the month.

 

On Friday, May 17, National Children’s Day will be observed. On the day, adults are asked to take time out to recognise and appreciate the children, while paying special attention to those with special needs. Persons are also asked to wear sunshine yellow in observance of the day.

 

For Wednesday, May 29, a Day of Prayer will be held at the Maranatha Gospel Hall, 7 Deanery Road. Jamaicans are being encouraged to join the NCMC in praying for the nation’s children.

 

Sponsors for Child Month 2019 are GraceKennedy Limited, the National Baking Company Foundation, Jamaica Producers, Jamaica Broilers Group of Companies, and the Sagicor Foundation.

 

CAPTION: Director of the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris (right), greets Patron of the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), Hon. Douglas Orane, at the launch of Child Month 2019, which was held recently at the GraceKennedy office in downtown Kingston.

JIS: Jamaica will observe Child Month 2019 in May, under the theme ‘Encourage, Enable, Include Me’.                         

 

Speaking at the launch, held on April 17 at the GraceKennedy Harbour Street office, downtown Kingston, Chairman of the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), Dr. Pauline Mullings, said this year’s theme is applicable for all children; however, emphasis will be placed on children with special needs. 

 

She noted that a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) fact sheet states that children with disabilities are one of the most marginalised and excluded groups of children, experiencing widespread violation of their rights.

 

“Too often, children with disabilities are defined and judged by what they lack, rather than what they have. Their exclusion and invisibility serves to render them uniquely vulnerable, denying them respect for their dignity, their individuality, even their right to life itself,” the document adds.

 

Several activities will be undertaken by the NCMC along with several of its partners and sponsors.  Highlights of the month will include the National Church Service, which will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the Kencot Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10-12 Osbourne Road, starting at 11:00 a.m. 

 

Churches across the island are being encouraged to host services focusing on children during the month of May. 

 

On Friday, May 17, National Children’s Day will be observed. On the day, adults are asked to take time out to recognise and appreciate the children, while paying special attention to those with special needs.  Persons are also asked to wear sunshine yellow in observance of the day.

 

On Wednesday, May 29, a Day of Prayer will be held at the Maranatha Gospel Hall, 7 Deanery Road, in Kingston.  Jamaicans are being encouraged to join the NCMC in praying for the nation’s children.

 

Dr. Mullings said that throughout the month, the NCMC will partner with several agencies to host other events focusing on children.

 

Sponsors for Child Month 2019 are GraceKennedy Limited, the National Baking Company Foundation, Jamaica Producers, Jamaica Broilers Group of Companies, and the Sagicor Foundation.

 

CAPTION: Chairman of the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), Dr Pauline Mullings, displays the calendar of activities for Child Month 2019, which will be observed in May. Occasion was the launch on April 17, at the GraceKennedy Harbour Street Office, downtown Kingston

JIS: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, says regulations governing the adoption of children in State care are to be amended in order to speed up the process.

 

Mr. Terrelonge notes that the impending changes will see children who have been neglected, abandoned or abused by parents, guardians or caregivers becoming eligible for adoption within a year of being placed in a facility.

 

“I have made the recommendation that once nine months [to] 12 months have passed, then we must be able to go to the court and to say to a judge that this particular parent has relinquished their right because they have abandoned their child. [In] so [doing] we can go through with having the court order made [so] that the adoption process can, in fact, go through. That is the future of childcare in Jamaica,” the State Minister further informed.

 

He was speaking during the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Field Services Conference at the Iberostar Rose Hall Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, on Tuesday (April 16).

Mr. Terrelonge contended that far too many parents refuse to give consent for children in State care being adopted, when there are many families willing and desirous of taking the youngsters into their homes.

 

“We have heard of too many children being left in State care for two years and three years, and they can’t get adopted. We have heard of a list of over 200 names of families who want to adopt children and they can’t get to adopt them. The minute you have abandoned your children, you have abandoned your rights and we must put an end to it,” he underscored.

 

The State Minister emphasised that the society is obliged to open their homes to children who are in need of care and protection, in order to ensure that “we are able to provide for them stable and loving homes, which every single child deserves”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Terrelonge has urged citizens to be vigilant and pay special attention to instances of child abuse and children acting out of character.

 

He also expressed gratitude to the social workers attached to the CPFSA for their yeoman service in protecting the nation’s children.

 

“I know that the work that you do is very stressful. So on behalf of the Government of Jamaica and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, I want to say thank you for the job that you do to ensure that the children of our country are safe,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

 

CAPTION: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (right), and Chief Executive Officer, Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Rosalee Gage-Grey (centre), converse with Business Consultant and Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Marcus Mottley, during the CPFSA’s Field Services Conference at Iberostar Rose Hall Hotel in Montego Bay, St James, on Tuesday (April 16).

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, says come September when the 2019/20 academic year begins, all reports of corporal punishment being administered in schools “will be treated very seriously”.

 

Mr. Terrelonge, who reiterated the Government’s prohibition policy on corporal punishment, emphasised that this method of discipline “is not the solution for a society that is already steeped in violence”.

 

“Corporal punishment must end. We have indicated that we do not wish for our children to receive corporal punishment in schools… yet there are some teachers and some administrators who are still beating our children. I am asking every single one of you to stop,” the State Minister further stressed.

He was addressing social workers at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Field Services Conference at the Iberostar Rose Hall Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, on April 16.

 

Mr. Terrelonge argued that administering discipline, such as corporal punishment, which demoralises and dehumanises, will not improve the behavioural challenges identified but, rather, will make it more difficult for the children to function in society.

 

He suggested that intense counselling and discipline, tailored to correct, guide, and alter youngsters’ mindset, are alternatives that can and should be explored.

 

“We want to ensure that our children are disciplined… but that their very human rights are also respected. So you have that task, as well, to look out for all these incidents and report them, so that they can be dealt with,” he added.

 

Mr. Terrelonge assured that Government will continue strengthening the law to ensure that the persons abusing children are decisively dealt with.

 

CAPTION: State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, speaking during the Child Protection and Family Services Agency’s (CPFSA) Field Services Conference at Iberostar Rose Hall Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, on April 16.

JIS: A refurbished science laboratory was officially handed over to St. Catherine High School in Spanish Town today (April 10) by Member of Parliament and wife of the Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Juliet Holness, who is a past student.

 

The laboratory was refurbished at a cost of $10.5 million by the Digicel Foundation.

 

In her address, Mrs. Holness thanked the Digicel Foundation for its donation to the school, adding that the renovated science laboratory will now better assist the students with their preparation for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based subjects and examinations.

 

“The future is really science, technology, engineering and mathematics. If we are to be the people of the future, we should not only be using the telephones and using the computers and playing the games but we are also to be the innovators and creators of the future technology,” Mrs. Holness said.

 

She explained that STEM is on the tongue of every single developing and developed country, and “we want to have our share, and there is no better place to start than here at my alma mater”.

 

Mrs. Holness said she is pleased to see the transition of the school from her days as a student in the 1980s, along with Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, to where it is now.

 

Meanwhile, Principal, St. Catherine High School, Marlon Campbell, is elated about the investment Digicel Foundation has made in the school.

 

“The refurbishing of the chemistry laboratory is an awesome gesture by the Digicel Foundation,” he said.

 

“Our students are full of exuberance and zeal at the sight of the laboratory in its completed state. The new laboratory has already ignited a spirit of excellence, and the psychology of learning has been shifted in the right gear. There is now an enthusiasm of readiness to enter the neFor her part, Chairman, Digicel Foundation, Jean Lowrie-Chin, noted the significance of the project by the Foundation as it celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

 

“It is a great joy that we are opening this beautifully renovated lab at one of the largest high schools in the Caribbean, which boasts our beloved Prime Minister and his wife, a dynamic Member of Parliament, among its alumni,” she said.

 

Chief Executive Officer, Digicel Foundation, Karlene Dawson, also noted that the laboratory’s renovation represents the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to science education.

 

“The study of science sparks curiosity, encouraging students to inquire and analyse. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are powerful tools for young Jamaicans navigating their way through life. Our goal is to empower the students and to inspire them to reach greater heights in learning,” she said.

 

To date, the Foundation has partnered with 11 high schools islandwide to renovate and equip them with science labs, while donating an additional 44 mobile science labs to schools with inadequate space for full science labs.w space as the students prepare themselves for class,” Mr. Campbell added.

 

CAPTION ONE: Member of Parliament and past student of St. Catherine High School, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness (left) and Chairman, Digicel Foundation, Jean Lowrie-Chin, unveil a new sign for the renovated science laboratory, which was officially handed over to St. Catherine High School on Wednesday (April 10).

 

CAPTION TWO: Member of Parliament and past student of St. Catherine High School, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness (second right) and Chairman, Digicel Foundation, Jean Lowrie-Chin (right), listen to Shaneilla Barker (left) as she speaks about acid-based titration in the refurbished science laboratory, which was officially handed over to the St. Catherine High School on Wednesday (April 10). Also listening are students (from second left) Nadja Hancel, Charice Walters and Shennika Christie.

JIS: Campbell’s Castle Primary School in South Manchester has been rebuilt at a cost of over $51 million, providing more modern and spacious surroundings for teachers and students.

 

The new two-storey structure comprises four classrooms, a computer laboratory, principal’s office, staff room, bathrooms, a storeroom, and other facilities to serve the small student population.

 

The project was undertaken by the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, through the National Education Trust (NET), with the Japanese Government contributing just over $13 million under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security initiative.

 

Infrastructure work was done over two phases with the first phase extending from May to October 2017; and the second segment from August 2018 to March 2019.

 

Advisor at the Ministry, Howard Chamberlain, who delivered the keynote address at the official handover of the school on Monday (April 8), said that the project “provides a conducive teaching and learning environment that caters to all levels of learners, enabling them to enhance their knowledge and competence”.

 

“It means that no child who attends Campbell’s Castle should feel left behind in having access to the latest technology and other resources to help with their educational development,” he said.

 

Mr. Chamberlain noted that the added facilities will better enable teachers to apply the National Standards Curriculum and prepare students for the Primary Exile Profile (PEP). He said that the institution will continue to receive support from the Ministry’s Special Needs Unit and from the Tablets in Schools Programme.

 

Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki, said his country “is honoured to partner with Jamaica to assist in the development of the social and economic programmes that enhance the education of its young citizens”.

 

He noted that the project has provided an appropriate teaching and learning environment for all the students and teachers.

 

“I do hope that you will enjoy your new school environment and that your students will continue to excel academically and in their extracurricular activities on a national level. I sincerely hope that all the parents and community people will be able to feel and share the joy and happiness, now that the children have a more comfortable environment,” he added.

 

Ambassador Yamazaki pledged to continue to “work with the people and the Government of Jamaica, to strengthen the partnership between our countries”.

 

Director of Donor and Partnership Management at NET, Latoya Harris, hailed the project as a signal of the “power of collaboration and friendship” between Jamaica and Japan, while Member of Parliament for South Manchester, Michael Stewart, urged the school community to ensure that the building remains “clean and inviting”.

 

Mr. Stewart said that the behaviour and conduct of persons who use the school must inspire confidence, “so that it can provide a beacon of hope for generations to come”.

 

CAPTION: Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki (third left), and Member of Parliament for South Manchester, Michael Stewart (third right), cut the ribbon to open the newly rebuilt Campbell’s Castle Primary School in South Manchester on Monday (April 8). Sharing the moment (from left) are Chairman of the School Board, Maureen Tomlinson; students, Khadijah Napier and Jordon Anderson; Principal, Petagaye Campbell; and student, Dejaneca Pryce