JIS: The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has committed $120 million towards the certification of early-childhood institutions.

 

This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, during his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 8.

 

Mr. Green said the Government, through the certification programme, continues to “do what many thought impossible”, and urged the House to be “unwavering in our drive to get our early-childhood institutions certified”.

 

He noted that the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), led by Chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, and Executive Director, Karlene Deslandes, continues to work with practitioners, communities and schools to achieve the designated operating standards.

 

“During last year, 13 early-childhood institutions were certified, 24 additional infant departments have been established islandwide and two new stand-alone infant schools… established,” Mr. Green pointed out.

 

The ECC was established by the Early Childhood Commission Act (2003), in keeping with the Government of Jamaica’s strategic goal of improving the quality of early-childhood care, education and development within the sector

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, making his 2018/19 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on May 8

   

JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is on a mission to transform the education system into one that operates based on a ‘mass customisation’ format, and not ‘generalised education’, which has been the tradition for decades.

 

According to Chief Education Officer in the Ministry, Dr. Grace McLean, her organisation believes changing the teaching process at the early-childhood, primary and secondary levels from ‘general education’ to ‘mass customisation’, will allow students to better express themselves and create career paths that are not traditional but are in keeping with the new jobs being created.

 

“The Ministry is taking a strategic approach towards not following a generalised education (anymore), whether formal or structured, but to move into mass customisation,” Dr. McLean said while speaking at the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Kingston’s luncheon held at Hotel Four Seasons on Monday (May 7).

 

“Mass customisation in a general context… refers to the design, production, marketing and delivery of customised products and services on a mass basis. It means that customers (youth) can select, order and receive a specially configured product… from hundreds of product options to meet their individual [academic and career] needs, so it is built to order (and) built to satisfy numerous customers across the world,” she explained.

 

Dr. McLean added the Government has taken the stance to create an education sector that is driven by mass customisation, and not generalised education, because of the advancements in technology and the need to provide students with the opportunity to draft their own career paths.

 

“The concept of mass customisation may provide the solution to us overcoming some of the deficiencies of a system that is traditionally focused on generalisations. It moves one’s thinking beyond costly customisation, on the one hand, and pure standardisation of education on the other, towards the concept of hybrid, practical and competitive strategies that are fundamental for the development of a modern education system. Mass customisation of education should be to meet the needs of all our students,” she said.

 

She argued that if Jamaica used the mass customisation format decades ago, the current workforce would have more qualified, skilled and trained professionals.

 

Dr. McLean said the ‘mass customisation’ approach will help the education sector to better achieve the goals and objectives outlined by the Ministry and complement the 1:25 teacher to student ratio that is now being introduced by the Ministry.

 

“We have just taken the decision to lower the pupil (to) teacher ratio, so they can truly practise mass customisation. We want our students to see the opportunities that are there, challenge and question our administrators, and, based on these, make decisions they want (regarding their academic and career goals),” Dr. McLean said.

 

“This is the approach the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is currently following as we seek to ensure that the needs of every single Jamaican child [is fulfilled], who is deserving of the kind of quality education that will assist him/her to take their rightful place in society,” she added.

 

CAPTION: Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Grace McLean (left), peruses a book about the Kiwanis Club with President, Kiwanis Club of Downtown Kingston, Mr. Leo Williams, during the Club’s luncheon at the Hotel Four Seasons on Monday (May 7).

JIS: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has developed a strategy that will see the establishment of two day-care centres in each constituency at a cost of $520 million.

 

This was disclosed by State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green, during his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives today (May 8).

 

“That is 126 day-care centres across the length and breadth of Jamaica. The strategy will involve the selection of institutions in each constituency that have the capacity to accommodate children from three months to five-plus years,” Mr. Green pointed out.

 

He noted that the Ministry will assess each institution to determine the type of retrofitting and support that will be needed, ensuring that Boards are in place for each institution.

 

Mr. Green said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed, which will outline the expectations and agreement of both parties.

 

“The Ministry will provide trained early-childhood teachers, will upgrade facilities where needed, will provide furniture and equipment and resource materials, and children will attend these centres free of cost,” he said.

 

The State Minister informed that already, 52 institutions have signed the MOUs and are ready to begin.

 

“We know that it is during these early years, the first 1,000 days, that the majority of the brain development takes place, and, as such, we are creating a safe and conducive environment to allow our children to unleash their tomorrow today,” Mr Green said.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, making his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives today (May 8).

I am pleased to share in the observance of Teachers’ Day, and to convey words of commendation to the thousands of teachers across Jamaica. Teachers get incredible joy in seeing the difference they make as students gain new insights, become more interested in a subject and learn about themselves. Every day, teachers mold the future through impacting their students’ views and understandings.

 

Teachers foster creativity, develop character, give students lenses with which to view the world and provide students with the skills they need to reach their potential and lead productive lives. Many individuals are attracted to teaching by a sense of service, because they want to make a clear, tangible difference in the lives of others. 

 

 The theme being observed this year for Education Week, “Promoting the Teaching Profession: A Beacon of Hope and Inspiration To Our Nation”, is an appropriate one.  There can be no quality education without competent and motivated teachers. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, calls upon all Jamaicans to recognize the significant role that educators play and continue to play in developing the future of our learners and Jamaica.

 

 

As a group of professionals, our teachers and educators, more than any other, have played a most critical role in nation building and transforming the character of the Jamaican society. Teachers deserve our gratitude because they have to go beyond just teaching for good results, in many cases. They also have to care for and counsel students; they have to work in sometimes challenging environments and they have to perform administrative duties.

 

Today, we laud their selfless sacrifice, commitment to the cause and devotion to duty. May you have a blessed day of reflection and inspiration as you face the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead. Have a truly wonderful Teachers’ Day 

 

I am pleased to share in the observance of Teachers’ Day, and to convey words of commendation to the thousands of teachers across Jamaica. Teachers get incredible joy in seeing the difference they make as students gain new insights, become more interested in a subject and learn about themselves. Every day, teachers mold the future through impacting their students’ views and understandings.

 

Teachers foster creativity, develop character, give students lenses with which to view the world and provide students with the skills they need to reach their potential and lead productive lives. Many individuals are attracted to teaching by a sense of service, because they want to make a clear, tangible difference in the lives of others. 

 

 The theme being observed this year for Education Week, “Promoting the Teaching Profession: A Beacon of Hope and Inspiration To Our Nation”, is an appropriate one.  There can be no quality education without competent and motivated teachers. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, calls upon all Jamaicans to recognize the significant role that educators play and continue to play in developing the future of our learners and Jamaica.

 

 

As a group of professionals, our teachers and educators, more than any other, have played a most critical role in nation building and transforming the character of the Jamaican society. Teachers deserve our gratitude because they have to go beyond just teaching for good results, in many cases. They also have to care for and counsel students; they have to work in sometimes challenging environments and they have to perform administrative duties.

 

Today, we laud their selfless sacrifice, commitment to the cause and devotion to duty. May you have a blessed day of reflection and inspiration as you face the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead. Have a truly wonderful Teachers’ Day 

 

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, has charged teachers to listen to their students and tailor lessons to meet their various needs.

 

He noted that “oftentimes they (students) are able to tell you what would work, what won’t work, and, as such, we have to organise our system around some of their wants and their needs”.

 

“Yes, we do have the technical expertise, but the critical part of our education system and education reform has to be that the student is at the centre of what we do,” he added.

 

Mr. Green was addressing a ‘Boys and Girls’ Speed Networking Career Day’ at The Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on May 3.

 

Professionals from various organisations engaged the youngsters in one-on-one sessions aimed at steering them towards achievable goals, engendering more confidence in their ability to contribute responsibly to society, while creating a safe space for dialogue and sharing new ideas.

 

The Minister welcomed the networking session, noting that “it will go a far way in helping the young people to explore some of the real avenues that are out there”.

 

“I think the concept of having our youth engage with us in relation to careers is something that we need to do right across the length and breadth of Jamaica. We do still have a deficit in relation to adequate career counselling, and that is why we are still having a mismatch in our society between the areas in which our young people are being trained and what we really need in relation to the growth agenda,” Mr. Green said.

 

The networking day was organised by the British Council as part of its ‘Boys in Education Week’ from April 30 to May 3 under the theme ‘Supporting a Nation of Champions’. The week involved support from the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC).

 

“I am very happy that the British Council has taken on board and elevated the issue of boys in education, especially to this level,” Mr. Green said.

 

The week included an empowerment session for educators, an empowering parents’ seminar, and a mentoring session for boys.

 

Boys in Education Week, now in its second year, is a precursor to a three-year programme that the British Council will be implementing in collaboration with the JTC.

 

The Council will be launching a mentoring programme in September under the initiative.

 

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. It operates in 110 countries around the world.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green

JIS: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is imploring parents engaged in the practice of withholding their children from school on some weekdays, to involve them in economic activities to generate household income, to desist from doing so.

 

“You’re not doing the child a favour (and) you’re certainly not supporting their full potential development by depriving them of one or two days of education,” Mr. Holness said as he launched activities for Workers’ Week and Labour Day at the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday (May 1).

 

While noting that “there is nothing wrong with parents ensuring that children understand the value of work”, he contended that when this interrupts the youngsters’ education, and goes further to involve them in illicit activities, such as scamming, the illegal sex trade and human trafficking, “then that is not (something) any country can be proud of”.

 

Mr. Holness pointed out that the Administration has provided the resources necessary to ensure that children can remain in school for the full five days per week, “and I encourage all parents, no matter how you are struggling, to take advantage of the support that the Government gives through the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) and other means”.

 

“There is no excuse for parents to take their children out of school to support them in any form of economic activity during the school period. We need to now step up on our campaign (to mandate that) every child must be in school when school is in,” he emphasised.

 

Workers’ Week and Labour Day 2018 are being observed under the theme ‘Ramp it Up… Fix it Up’.

 

Activities will focus on constructing ramps in schools to enable physically challenged persons to access these buildings, and installing additional facilities at health centres to enhance the environment for medical staff and clients.

 

Labour Day will be observed on Wednesday, May 23.

 

 CAPTION: The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON., MP., Prime Minister

JIS: President of The Mico University College, Dr. Asburn Pinnock, has called for increased private-sector support for education through the provision of scholarships and bursaries to benefit young people from financially challenged backgrounds.

 

He said that education is expensive but is key in breaking the cycle of poverty in many families across the island.

 

Dr. Pinnock, who was speaking at a donor appreciation reception at Mico’s Marescaux Road campus in Kingston on Monday (April 30), said increased involvement of the private sector can add to a more prosperous and stable society.

 

“Businesses rely on the stability of a country, and results have shown that a stable nation is a much more prosperous country. We believe that education can help to solve some of the issues of crime,” he said.

 

“So, by investing in education and creating more opportunities for persons… we reduce the likelihood of persons moving into deviant and antisocial behaviour,” he added.

 

Dr. Pinnock told the donors that students at the institutions who benefit from grants and other financial support are giving back to their communities by volunteering at early-childhood educational institutions and participating in other efforts.

 

“They become leaders; so the multiplier effect is worth it. They are first to help; any event you have, they will be there,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, scholarship recipient, Britonny Haye, told the donors that their contribution is “immeasurable”.

 

“Hope had been restored to me, motivating me to work harder, driving me to do my utmost best and steering me down the narrow path of success,” she said.

 

The reception was held to say thanks to the alumni and corporate companies that have provided support to Mico over the years, and to hear the testimonies of those that have benefited and continue to benefit from the contributions.

 

Mico receives $4 million each year in scholarships, which is credited to the accounts of second- to fourth-year students to complete their degrees.

 

CAPTION: The Mico University College student and beneficiary of the Desmond Gascoigne Memorial Scholarship, Britonny Haye (left), exchanges warm greetings with Director of the scholarshp fund, Gloria Gascoigne (second right). Occasion was a reception for scholarship donors held on Monday (April 30), at Mico’s campus on Marescaux Road in Kingston. Sharing the moment are Director of the James Lee and Clarice May Gore Memorial Scholarship, Christine Gore (second left); and Director of Alumni and Development at Mico, Sharon Wolfe.

GLEANER: President of The Mico University College, Dr. Asburn Pinnock, has called for increased private-sector support for education through the provision of scholarships and bursaries to benefit young people from financially challenged backgrounds.

 

He said that education is expensive but is key in breaking the cycle of poverty in many families across the island.

 

Dr. Pinnock, who was speaking at a donor appreciation reception at Mico’s Marescaux Road campus in Kingston on Monday (April 30), said increased involvement of the private sector can add to a more prosperous and stable society.

 

“Businesses rely on the stability of a country, and results have shown that a stable nation is a much more prosperous country. We believe that education can help to solve some of the issues of crime,” he said.

 

“So, by investing in education and creating more opportunities for persons… we reduce the likelihood of persons moving into deviant and antisocial behaviour,” he added.

 

Dr. Pinnock told the donors that students at the institutions who benefit from grants and other financial support are giving back to their communities by volunteering at early-childhood educational institutions and participating in other efforts.

 

“They become leaders; so the multiplier effect is worth it. They are first to help; any event you have, they will be there,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, scholarship recipient, Britonny Haye, told the donors that their contribution is “immeasurable”.

 

“Hope had been restored to me, motivating me to work harder, driving me to do my utmost best and steering me down the narrow path of success,” she said.

 

The reception was held to say thanks to the alumni and corporate companies that have provided support to Mico over the years, and to hear the testimonies of those that have benefited and continue to benefit from the contributions.

 

Mico receives $4 million each year in scholarships, which is credited to the accounts of second- to fourth-year students to complete their degrees.

 

CAPTION: The Mico University College student and beneficiary of the Desmond Gascoigne Memorial Scholarship, Britonny Haye (left), exchanges warm greetings with Director of the scholarshp fund, Gloria Gascoigne (second right). Occasion was a reception for scholarship donors held on Monday (April 30), at Mico’s campus on Marescaux Road in Kingston. Sharing the moment are Director of the James Lee and Clarice May Gore Memorial Scholarship, Christine Gore (second left); and Director of Alumni and Development at Mico, Sharon Wolfe.

As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2018 we must pause to examine and appreciate the role played by journalists both here and abroad, in ensuring that countries have fully functional democracies.

 

A free, fair and independent press is one of the strongest tools to safeguard the process that works to hold public officials accountable for decisions made and policy directives pursued that impacts a country. Through journalism, citizens are given a voice that calls for transparency in the way that their business is being conducted. This voice has been further energized with the advent of social media.

 

No more do people have to depend solely on traditional media by waiting on the publication of letters to newspaper editors or calling in to a talk show, to express dissatisfaction, instead with the touch of a button on a smart phone there is immediate contact with your elected official.

 

World Press Freedom Day is also where we pause to honour the lives of journalists all over the world, who have been killed for their unearthing of the truth and love for their profession, these brave men and women relentlessly probed matters of national importance that they believed was in the public’s interest. 

 

Muzzling the press should never be the objective of any administration; in contrast no truer commitment can be seen to open and honest governance than a thriving and free press.

 

Journalism flourishes in Jamaica. This is witnessed in our recently improved ranking on the 2018 World Press Freedom Index. This is a noteworthy achievement. In their 2018 report, France based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, RSF, ranked Jamaica as sixth in the world for press freedom, moving up two places from the eighth place finish in 2017.

 

In its report, RSF stated that ‘Jamaica ranks among the countries that most respect freedom of information. The law decriminalizing defamation passed by the House of Representatives in 2013 was a step in the right direction.’

 

Jamaica and by extension journalists should be proud of the country’s standing, as we have outperformed great nations such as the United States of America and Canada having also ranked higher than any other Caribbean nation.

 

This Government remains committed to the principles of accountability, a process which is maintained through the efforts of the Fourth Estate. Through deepened partnerships with journalists and media owners, this administration will ensure that the country remains the ‘Pearl of the Caribbean’ for press freedom.  

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Honourable Ruel Reid