JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Walker’s Place of Safety, which was destroyed by fire in January this year, will be a state-of-the-art facility once completed.

 

He informed that he is in possession of the final designs for the building and has received a preliminary estimate of $106 million for its reconstruction.

 

“There are a few things to be tweaked but we do want to have a first-world, model-type place of safety,” he said.

 

Mr. Green was speaking to journalists at Courts’ 2018 Customer Scholarship Awards ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 14.

 

The State Minister informed that $25 million has been raised from contributions from public and corporate entities, as well as other well-wishers.

 

“We still have a far way to go but it is a very good foundation to start upon and we will continue the drive. We (the Government) will put some allocations (to it) to see how quickly we can get it back (into operation),” he said.

 

The fire, at the Walker’s Place of Safety, which is located at the intersection of Lyndhurst Road and Lyndhurst Crescent, claimed the lives of two children and temporarily displaced 34 children.

 

Since the incident, there has been an outpouring of love and support towards those affected.

 

Two individuals, Kimani Anderson and Grace Allen, are to receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry at this year’s staging of the National Honours and Awards ceremony in October, for their efforts to rescue the residents.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, interacts with children from the Walker’s Place of Safety during a ceremony to hand over a cheque for the rebuilding of the facility, held in January at Hope Zoo, St. Andrew.

JIS: United Way of Jamaica has provided grant funding of $1.472 million to six basic schools islandwide, which will assist the institutions with their preparations to become certified with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

 

This will result in a total of 396 students and teachers being positively impacted come the new school year in September 2018.

 

The handover ceremony was held on August 16 at the offices of the National Volunteer Centre, Camp Road, in Kingston.

 

Schools to benefit include: Eric Malcolm Basic School, in St. Andrew; Sanguinetti Early Childhood Institution, Trelawny; Nutshell Basic School, St. Catherine; York Town Basic School, Clarendon; Herrick Basic School, St. Andrew; and Comfort Baptist Basic School, Clarendon.

 

Board Chairman of United Way of Jamaica, Dr. Marcia Forbes, said the goal is to make the school environment safer and more conducive to learning for the new school year, and to help the institutions meet the standards set by the ECC.

 

“Early childhood education is a major priority for the United Way of Jamaica. We have continued to support the work in this area by providing safe indoor and outdoor equipment for children and staff,” Dr. Forbes said.

 

She added that these investments are making a difference and continue to fill critical gaps in alignment with Jamaica’s national development goals.

 

“We will fight and we will win the fight by creating the opportunities and a platform for our next generation to succeed,” Dr. Forbes said.

 

For her part, Chairperson of the ECC, Trisha Williams-Singh, said United Way of Jamaica has done a tremendous job of helping to improve the early childhood sector in Jamaica.

 

“Undoubtedly this contribution of $1.47 million will go a far way in helping all these institutions to attain the 12 legal operating standards. When you think about the funding you receive today that has to do with the perimeter wall, think about the safety of the child,” Mrs. William-Singh said.

 

She noted that the six basic schools are registered with the ECC and were selected by the United Way of Jamaica, in partnership with the Commission.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Herrick Basic School, David Hall, expressed appreciation on behalf of the schools for the funding.

 

“We are very much appreciative of the funding you have given. We deem it a privilege to have been selected and may you continue to reach higher heights as you look after the institutions in Jamaica,” he said.

 

The United Way of Jamaica was incorporated in January 1985 and is an autonomous non-profit Private Voluntary Organization registered as a Charitable Organization and an affiliate of United Way worldwide.

 

The organisation brings donors, volunteers, community leaders and other stakeholders together to address pressing needs in the society.

 

CAPTION: Board Chairman of United Way of Jamaica, Dr. Marcia Forbes (right), affixes her signature to the symbolic cheque for $1.472 million, which will be used to assist six basic schools with their preparations to become certified with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), during a ceremony held at the offices of the National Volunteer Centre, Camp Road, in Kingston, on August 16. Observing (from left) are: Principal, Sanguinetti Early Childhood Institution, Diana Douse; Principal, Nutshell Basic School, Eunice Johnson; Chairman, Nutshell Basic School, Yulanda Goehagon; and Chairperson of the ECC, Mrs. Trisha Williams-Singh.

 

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has announced an increase of 3.8 per cent in passes by students who sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this year, when compared to 2017.

 

At the 2018 National Exit Examination Press Conference, held at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge in Kingston on August 16, the Minister said that of the total number of subject entries, 159,280 or 68.4 per cent recorded grades one to three, an increase of 3.8 per cent over the 2017 figure.

 

He noted that a total of 63,428 candidates were registered to sit the examinations, of which 37,875 (59.7 per cent) were females and 25, 553 (40.3 per cent) were males.

 

“Of those who entered, 59,580 (93.9 per cent) candidates sat, of which 46,443 (78 per cent) obtained grades one to three. A total of 35,819 females sat and 28,217 (78.8 per cent) obtained grades one to three, while some 23,761 males sat and 18, 226 (76.7) obtained grades one to three,” Senator Reid informed.

 

For 2018, the subjects of Mathematics and English Language had the largest number of entries and sittings, with percentage passes of 46.5 and 68.7, respectively.

 

“When the average attainment rates for Mathematics and English Language were compared with 2017 results, there were increases of 4.5 and 2.9 percentage points for Mathematics and English Language, respectively,” the Minister noted.

 

Males achieved higher percentage passes than females in the three subject areas – Biology (73.2 per cent compared to 70.9 per cent for females); Chemistry (57.2 per cent compared to 52.0 per cent for females) and Mathematics (47.3 per cent compared to 46.0 per cent for females).

 

The total number of subject entries for males were 100,333, with 91,949 being sat and 59,853 (65.1 per cent) attaining the required grades, while the total number of subject entries for females were 148,081, with 140, 891 being sat and 99,427 (70.6 per cent) attaining the required grades.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, speaks at Press Conference regarding the 2018 CSEC results, at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge & Conference Centre in Kingston, on Thursday (August 16).-

JIS: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has endorsed a suggestion made by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for employers to diversify their job requirements by requesting qualifications outside of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

 

Recently, the Registrar of the regional examination body, Glenroy Cumberbatch, made the call for requirements diversification for employment, against the background that thousands of students have been failing CSEC.

 

The CSEC has become a favourite entry-level qualification for local employers, but Minister Reid indicates that there is a “raft of alternative qualifications outside of CSEC,” citing the National Vocational Qualifications of Jamaica (NVQJ) and City and Guilds.

 

“CSEC general proficiency is used as a tool to qualify students for higher education, not for hiring. Employers are now themselves saying that CSEC is inadequate, because if for example, I need a plumber, five CSECs, including Math and English won’t help me to become a plumber…I need certification,” he said.

 

The Minister was speaking to JIS News at the 2018 EduCom Co-op Credit Union Scholarship Awards ceremony, held at The Knutsford Court Hotel, in New Kingston, on August 15.

 

Mr. Reid informed that discussions are being held with the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), which, he noted, is also in agreement for diversifying requirements for employment.

 

“We need to change that narrative. Parents prefer the traditional areas, so everyone thinks they should have five CSECs. It is a status, but it doesn’t empower you to transition into the world of work either,” he said.

 

The Minister emphasised the Government’s K-13 strategy, where every child up to 18 years old will be properly stimulated and engaged, so that those particularly in grades 12 and 13 can be given career guidance to “select from the menu of opportunities that will better train them and certify them for the jobs out there.”

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Reid hailed EduCom for its investment in the education of youth, offering scholarships to 88 students valued at $2.15 million, which is an increase over the $1.3 million offered last year.

 

Sixteen scholarships are being offered at the tertiary level, while 72 scholarships are being offered to those transitioning from primary school to secondary school.

 

The Minister urged the students “to go forward with confidence.”

 

EduCom’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elvis King, encouraged the awardees to look past “the limited resources that may be available to you, the barriers that challenge your abilities to succeed and continue to achieve your goals.”

 

“Beginning September, go out and make your parents, your families, teachers and EduCom proud, as you take on this new challenge of secondary education,” he told the recipients.

 

CAPTION: Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre), makes a point to President of EduCom Co-op Credit Union, C. Leopold Nesbeth (left), at the credit union’s 2018 scholarship awards ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 15. At right is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EduCom, Elvis King.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, is urging parents and guardians to start saving early for their children’s tertiary education.

 

“It shows that you believe that they are going to make it to college and if you believe it, they will believe it. It doesn’t matter how little you are saving; if you put down a little bit and say ‘this is your college fund, so this means you are going to college,’ they will make it happen,” he said.

 

Minister Green was speaking at the Public Sector Employees Co-operative Credit Union’s 14th Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) awards ceremony at the St. Stephen’s United Church, Cross Roads, Kingston, on Wednesday (Aug. 15)

 

He said saving for tertiary education is an important investment that will enable children to realise their career aspirations in the 21st century job market.

 

“Secondary school is not enough, the jobs that they used to get when they leave secondary school, by the time they are finished with high school, a lot of (those jobs) don’t exist,” he argued.

 

The State Minister further stressed the need for parents to be involved in their children’s school life.

 

“Do you pay attention to what your child is doing in school? Do you ask them about their homework? Do you ensure that it is done?” he questioned.

 

State Minister Green commended the GSAT award recipients and implored them as they go on to high school, to surround themselves with positive people, who mean them well, find their passion and take pride in themselves.

 

A total of 74 students received education grants totalling $1 million from the Public Sector Employees Co-operative Credit Union.

 

The entity’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Tamara Maxwell-Green, said that since 2004, more than 600 students have benefited from financial assistance valued at $12.6 million.

 

She congratulated the students on their achievement, adding that the credit union strongly believes in supporting the youth and investing in their education.

 

“We offer financial literacy programmes to help students and parents get a firm grasp on all the various financial weights that come with education. Our goal is to help you make the right decisions for your children’s future from both a financial and education perspective,” she said.

 

The credit union’s GSAT awards provide support to members’ children to meet some of the cost of their secondary schooling.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (centre), shares a moment with twins Renehia (left) and Tenehia Currie after presenting them with education grants during the Public Sector Employees Co-operative Credit Union’s Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) awards ceremony at the St. Stephen’s United Church, Cross Roads, Kingston, on Wednesday (Aug. 15). A total of 74 students received education grants totalling $1 million from the credit union.

JIS: A total of 130 schools have been equipped with hand-held metal detectors and walk-through devices installed in five institutions under the US$4 million Improved Safety and Security in Schools Project.

 

The initiative, launched in June 2017, involves partnership between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is being coordinated by the National Education Trust (NET).

 

It is being undertaken over two years with the USAID contributing US$3 million and the Government of Jamaica US$1 million.

 

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (August 14), Project Manager, Yvonne Brown, explained that the objective is to transform schools and surrounding areas into safe zones, and reduce violence among students and youths ages 10-29. She noted that a “multilayered and multi-sectoral approach” is being undertaken aimed at engaging communities, parents, and public and private sector partnerships.

 

“We have been focusing on school activities and out-of-school activities, therefore, both unattached youth and those in the formal school system are targeted,” she said.

 

The provision of metal detectors is part of the physical infrastructure component of the project, which also includes the installation of perimeter fencing.

 

Other components include upgrading the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Curriculum to entail anti-bullying as well as aspects of the Child Care and Protection Act; guidance and counselling to involve the roll-out of the School Wide Behaviour Change Modification Programme; and co-curricular activities with emphasis on uniformed groups.

 

Ms. Brown told JIS News that there is collaboration with the Jamaica Combined Cadet Corps and the Caribbean Merchant Marine Cadet Corps for the establishment of uniformed groups.

 

She said that at the end of the project in July 2019, the aim is to have over 300 new uniformed groups within schools, with each institution to have at least one functioning body.

 

A key part of the project is the establishment of ‘parent places’. Through collaboration with the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), several facilities have been set up to provide training and other support to improve parenting skills.

 

CAPTION: Project Manager for the Improved Safety and Security in Schools Project, Yvonne Brown, addresses a JIS Think Tank on August 14.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says that the Government is in a state of readiness for the upcoming school year.

 

He noted that “for the first time in our history, furniture has been delivered to our school system at the start of summer.”

 

He noted that the early provision of furniture has enabled the schools to prepare and “to also see where there were deficiencies so that the schools could then communicate with us that the deficiencies exist. Additionally, we gave (funds) to schools earlier,” he said.

 

Mr. Green was addressing Courts’ 2018 Customer Scholarship Awards ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 14.

 

He reiterated the Government’s position that no student should be turned away from school for non-payment of auxiliary fees.

 

He urged parents, who “face resistance” from schools and “where there is genuine inability to pay, to raise the issue with the regional offices and the Director or the Ministry as it is a non-negotiable policy.”

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (centre), engages with Unicomer Jamaica Managing Director, Dennis Harris (left); and Business Unit Director of Unicomer Jamaica, Ann-Marie Walters, at the Courts Customer Scholarship 2018 Awards ceremony, held at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 14.

JIS: The Government is calling on corporate support to extend the reach of its Jamaica Brain Builders Programme, which is designed to ensure that the nation’s children get the best start in life.

 

The $540 million initiative, launched in July, will provide interventions in health, nutrition, stimulation and social protection, among other needs, during the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to age two years.

 

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) will be responsible for establishing 126 ‘Brain Builder Centres’, with two in each constituency.

 

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, said that discussions are underway with corporate entities, some of which have expressed significant interest, to see how best this initiative can reach every child.

 

“It’s ready made for corporate support. Part of what the Government will have to do is examine the spaces that we will now transform into day-care centres, which will take significant resources.

 

We do have funds already budgeted for this,” he said.

 

Mr. Green was addressing Courts’ 2018 Customer Scholarship Awards ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 14.

 

A total of 44 students received education grants totalling more than $7 million from the furniture company.

 

Seven tertiary grants valued at $250,000 each and six full scholarships valued at $400,000 each were awarded to persons pursuing bachelor’s degree programmes.

 

Twenty-eight students transitioning from primary to high school received $100,000 each, while two others received $50,000 each.

 

One grant valued at $50,000 was presented to a student enrolled at HEART Trust/NTA institution.

 

Business Unit Director of Unicomer Jamaica, the parent company of Courts Jamaica, Ann-Marie Walters, said that more than 2,500 students have benefited from financial assistance through the scholarship programme, dubbed ‘Dare to Dream’.

 

“Courts Jamaica believes in supporting youths and investing in their education. As caring corporate citizens, we take our responsibility seriously. In fact, over the past 32 years, we have invested in excess of $110 million in scholarships,” she said.

 

She noted that her company remains committed to building communities across the island and will ensure that the people lead progressive and prosperous lives.

 

Ms. Walters urged the students to return to their communities and contribute to the development of the areas.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Minister, Hon. Floyd Green (left), presents a certificate of award to Danielle Barrett at Courts’ 2018 Customer Scholarship Awards ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on August 14.

JIS: Twenty-one high school students in St. Catherine have been awarded scholarships worth $315,000 by the Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment Foundation (PAEF).

 

The awards were presented today (August 14), at the St. Catherine parish office of the Social Development Commission (SDC), in Spanish Town.

 

Executive Director of the Foundation, Pauline Gregory-Lewis, said in its five-year existence, the organisation has been focusing on children and has made the lives of those in the parish “a little bit more bearable.”

 

She said the Foundation will be having another audience with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) to expand their breakfast programme to additional basic schools in St. Catherine, so that more children will get what is “necessary for brain development.”

 

In 2015, the PAEF supported four students with back-to-school funds; in 2016, they increased the number to nine beneficiaries; in 2017, it was extended to 20, and this year the support has been further extended to 21students.

 

The Executive Director told the audience that the provision of scholarships to the students, “is our way of ensuring that the children get some form of assistance to move from one phase of their lives to another.”

 

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Jamaica, Winsome Wilkins, encouraged the scholarship recipients to be “persistent in doing the work that is set before you,” as applying themselves diligently to schoolwork “will pay off.”

 

She said that children need to follow their passion and choose their friends and mentors wisely, emphasising that they must listen to “your parents, listen to your teachers, as they want the best for you.”

 

“Be your best self, have your priorities straight, and the rest of your life will follow on the same path,” she added.

 

The PAEF manages projects that include training in entrepreneurial enterprises, such as apiculture and poultry-rearing, with assistance from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Bodles Research Centre, Food For The Poor and other corporate entities.

 

CAPTION: Recipients of the Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment Foundation (PAEF), 2018 scholarship programme, at the presentation ceremony, held today (August 14), at the St. Catherine parish office of the Social Development Commission (SDC), in Spanish Town. With the students in the back row (from left) are: Donor to the Foundation, Michelle Smith; Chairman of the PAEF, Devon Samuels; Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Jamaica, Winsome Wilkins, and Executive Director of the PAEF, Pauline Gregory-Lewis.

JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information will be staging a series of sensitisation sessions for parents, which are aimed at increasing their involvement in their children’s learning and broader educational policy initiatives.

 

Four sessions are scheduled with the first to be held on Thursday (August 16) at the Karram Speid Auditorium at the Merl Grove High School in St. Andrew beginning at 4:00 p.m. to cover regions one and two.

 

A bulletin issued by the Ministry said that the sensitisation and consultation sessions are in recognition of the importance of parental input in advancing the education agenda and the achievement of high quality educational outcomes. Discussions will therefore seek to inform parents about critical matters relating to the Ministry’s policies, programmes and initiatives.

 

Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, and other officials from the Ministry will be on hand to address a range of matters including the no tuition-fee policy and parents’ contributions; provisions for students, who are beneficiaries of the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH); the expanded pilot rural transportation project; and the K-13 Strategy.

 

Other areas for discussion are the implementation of the National Standards Curriculum (NSC), the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) as well as the National School Leaving Certificate.

 

Principals are encouraged to activate the network of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) bodies in their respective schools in order to ensure full participation in the meetings.

 

The schedule for the other sessions are: Montego Bay High School Auditorium, St. James, at 2:30 p.m on August 23 for region four; Glenmuir High School Auditorium in Clarendon on August 28 starting at 4:00 p.m. covering regions 5 and 6; and York Castle High School Auditorium in St. Ann on August 29 starting at 4:00 p.m for region three.

 

CAPTION: The Hon. Senator Ruel Reid, CD, Minister of Education, Youth and Information.