JIS: For the new academic year, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information will be increasing its effort to promote technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in secondary schools.

 

State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, said this area offers a number of opportunities for young persons, arguing that a “mindset change” is needed to encourage greater interest and participation in the new and emerging careers in this field.

 

“Part of what we will be embarking on come this September is a really robust career training programme in our secondary schools, as a number of our students are still unaware of some of the new areas that they can go into. A lot of them still have misconceptions about the areas that can bring them significant wealth,” he said.

 

The State Minister was delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony for World Youth Skills Day 2018 on July 17 at the Garmex HEART Academy in Kingston.

 

Discussions are under way with the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the HEART Trust/NTA and school guidance counsellors to provide advice to students and parents on TVET careers.

 

“We have a bad perception of going into skills. We want to ensure that we are going into our schools with our guidance counsellors to have career training sessions where we say to our young people, these are the new areas. We have to partner with the PTAs to counsel the parents, because often they are the ones that discourage our young people (from pursuing alternative career paths). We have to explain to them that these are areas of growth,” the State Minister said.

 

CAPTION: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, addresses the opening ceremony of the World Youth Skills Day 2018 ‘Skills and Career Exposition’ on July 17 at the Garmex HEART Academy in Kingston. It was staged under the theme ‘New Skills for Emerging Jobs: Improving the Image of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)’.

JIS: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government is placing increased focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in order to better prepare young people for the job market.

 

“We are reforming our education system to place more emphasis on the practical side of skills, and we want to ensure, from as early as secondary school, our young people are learning certifiable skills,” he said.

 

He was speaking at the opening ceremony for World Youth Skills Day 2018 on July 17 at the HEART Trust/NTA’s Garmex Academy in Kingston.

 

Held under the theme ‘New Skills for Emerging Jobs: Improving the Image of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)’ the expo highlighted the value of acquiring a skill to achieve personal success and fulfilment.

 

It was targeted at young people, aged 15 to 25, introducing them to new and emerging skills and training opportunities in areas such as hydroponics, mechatronics, mobile robotics 3D printing, mobile application development, videography, make-up artistry (for film) and renewable energy (photovoltaic installation).

 

The event featured plenary sessions on careers in the automotive industry, marketing self for future jobs, social media and cybercrime; and booth displays in information and communications technology (ICT), digital animation, engineering, and allied health services, among others.

 

Managing Director of the HEART Trust/NTA, Janet Dyer, encouraged the young people to take advantage of available training opportunities.

 

She noted that “67 per cent of our workforce is untrained and uncertified and we have that to fix”.

 

“Today’s World Youth Skills Day is one of the many activities that we are using to ensure that our young people in Jamaica get all the opportunities that are available to get trained, certified and to contribute to the productivity of this nation,” she said.

 

The expo was organised by the HEART Trust/NTA and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and Vocational Education Centre (UNESCO-UNEVOC) in collaboration with WorldSkills Jamaica.

 

CAPTION: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (right), examines a mobile robot during the opening ceremony for World Youth Skills Day 2018 on July 17 at the HEART Trust/NTA’s Garmex Academy in Kingston. Looking on is second-year student in Industrial Systems, Operations and Maintenance at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), Jenelle Hinds.

JIS: Recipient of the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for service to Education, Mrs. Isoline Brown-Budhoo, says that her journey of more-than 40 years in the teaching profession happened as a result of a short-lived love affair with nursing.

 

Speaking with JIS News, the retired Vice Principal says she realised she was destined to teach, after a one-year stint at nursing school proved futile and took her back to a career that she describes as “one of the most gratifying professions”.

 

“I started out as a pretrained teacher at Wood Hall All-Age School in 1970 in my home parish, Clarendon, then left and went to Kingston School of Nursing, but realised I did not have the guts for nursing, and so, I returned to teaching and never looked back,” Mrs Brown-Budhoo says.

 

On her return, she taught at the Mount Providence All-Age School in Clarendon before journeying to Church Teachers’ College to pursue studies in primary education.

 

While at college, her love for the profession grew, and as she gained experience through teaching practice at the Christiana Leased School in Manchester, she knew that, without a doubt, teaching was where her true passion lies.

 

On full completion of her studies, she returned to Clarendon and accepted a job at the then Denbigh Secondary School, where she taught from 1977 to 1979.

 

September 1979 saw her venturing to May Pen Primary, where she remained until she retired in 2012.

 

During this period, she served as senior teacher, acting Vice Principal and was appointed Vice Principal from 2009 to her retirement.

 

“I started a 33-year journey here…it was challenging, but also exciting, and I did everything in my power to enhance the reputation of the school,” Mrs. Brown-Budhoo says.

 

“When I went to May Pen Primary, I taught grade four for two years, then the principal decided to move me to grade six due to my ability to manage that age group and the volume of work to be done to prepare the students for the Common Entrance Examination, and within the year, I was also promoted to senior teacher,” she adds.

 

She says her job felt most rewarding when her children succeeded, and this propelled her to being even more committed and dedicated to serve.

 

“I initiated a lot of programmes in the school… . They did not have a house system in place, and so I introduced a house/sport system using the names of past principals, and the school came alive on sports day and there was camaraderie, good sportsmanship and teamwork,” she says.

 

She adds that the house/sport system prepared the school to participate and dominate several parish, regional and national competitions, while producing top athletes who went on to excel at the high-school and tertiary levels.

 

Another initiative that she introduced was the Spelling Bee Club, which sparked competition among the various grades at the school.

 

“We used to have an organised ‘spell down’ at the end of the month, and we did our own inter-school spelling competition, which enhanced reading and comprehension and also resulted in the school winning parish competitions and advancing to the National Spelling Bee competition for several years,” she reflects.

 

Mrs. Brown-Budhoo also spearheaded an extension class at the school to prepare students for entry into the HEART/NTA programmes.

 

“We would teach these extra classes after school, to help children who applied for HEART but failed mathematics and English… so myself and a team at May Pen Primary would teach them for a year and prepare them to resit the test, and we had 100 per cent passes for five years,” she boasts.

 

These projects were in addition to the 4-H Club, Cub Scouts, and beautification, which she also spearheaded.

 

“It was hard work, but I enjoyed the challenge and loved spearheading the various projects, as there was an abundance of joy and accomplishment when the students succeeded, and this was proof that the hard work that I committed to doing truly paid off,” she asserts.

 

“Teaching is one of the most gratifying professions… . When you go out and you meet your past students and they greet you and tell you thanks for not giving up on them… [and] when they hug you and tell you how much they appreciate the way you helped to mould their lives, it is extremely gratifying,” she expresses.

 

Mrs. Brown-Budhoo was also an active member of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) and spearheaded several projects within the May Pen community.

 

She served as President of the Clarendon Teachers’ Association and member of the Central Executive of the JTA.

 

“I was a very active member of JTA, and as president I visited all 26 schools in the parish to inform the teachers of their rights and responsibilities. At the community level, I would have classes with persons in the area who could not read… . I would collect food, clothes and other basic items and distribute to children’s homes, infirmaries, nursing homes and to the homeless,” she tells JIS News.

 

Her service to community and the teaching profession has resulted in her being recognised and awarded on several occasions.

 

Included among the awards are the JTA Golden Torch award, for 37 years of service; the JTA Clarendon Parish 40th Anniversary award in December 2005; the JTA South Central Region award; Kingston Bookshop award in 2001; and a special award from the May Pen Primary School for her invaluable contribution.

 

She adds that she felt quite honoured, and grateful on receiving the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education.

 

“This recognition is now the icing on the cake… . I am very happy for receiving this prestigious award and for getting it while I am alive,” she says.

 

Her advice to those currently in the profession is to “be there for your students, help them to be the finest individuals… . It may be quite challenging, but somebody has to be there to do it, and if you choose to do it, give it the full 100 and you will get your reward in the long run”.

 

“Teachers do not only teach but they also have to be role models; they have to live a certain way, as they are looked up to in their communities, and, through their actions, children learn and understand how to become good citizens, so they have to lead by example,” she appeals.

 

Even though retired, Mrs. Brown-Budhoo continues to serve and to empower those around her.

 

“I want to establish a centre and offer remedial, literacy, numeracy classes and empowerment sessions. There are some persons who would have graduated but did not do so well and tend to be withdrawn, so I want to help build their self-esteem, empower them and let them know that they are loved and that they can be somebody of worth and make a valuable contribution to society,” she shares.

 

CAPTION: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, presents former Vice principal of the May Pen Primary School, Mrs. Isoline A. Brown-Budhoo, with the 2018 Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education at the awards ceremony held on June 27 at Jamaica House.

THE GLEANER: Newly elected president of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ), Lennon Richards, said he will be encouraging more fathers to be active participants in the education system.

 

Richards, who was elected at the NPTAJ’s just-concluded Sixth Biennial General Meeting and National Conference, held at Jamaica College in St Andrew on Saturday, said more fathers are needed in the parent-teacher associations (PTAs).

 

“I want to encourage male parents to be more involved in the PTAs, and be involved more with their children’s education,” Richards said.

 

He added that other priorities are to have representatives of the organisation sit on critical committees that are influencing policies for children’s well-being, and to ensure that safety measures are in place at every school.

 

EXPANDING BUS SYSTEM

  

Richards said that the NPTAJ will be working with all stakeholders to expand the rural school-bus system and to dedicate as much time as possible to issues in education impacting the nation’s children.

 

“I am calling on all Jamaicans to support the Association, and in particular the PTAs that are at their schools,” the president said.

 

The NPTAJ is a charitable, non-profit association comprised of volunteers with the primary responsibility to review and conduct a thorough analysis of the education system in Jamaica, and to make recommendations consistent with a vision to create a world-class education system.

 

It is comprised of six regions, spread across 14 parishes, providing direction and leadership programmes, support and resources to members at all levels of the Association.

 

With its motto, ‘Involved Parents Equal Better Students’, the Association fosters parental involvement in education, information sharing, resource management and fundraising efforts, as well as lobbies for improvements to Jamaica’s education system and general school environment.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Ruel Reid (left), greets newly elected President of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ), Lennon Richards, at the Association’s Sixth Biennial General Meeting and National Conference, held at Jamaica College in St. Andrew on Saturday.

 

JIS: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the sixth-form option in high schools provides a unique opportunity for students to develop leadership qualities and should be encouraged.

 

Addressing the 30th Anniversary Banquet of the St. Catherine High School Class of 1988, at the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach and Golf Resort, Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on July 14, Mr. Holness said to this end, he is spearheading an effort to build a state-of-the-art sixth-form block at his alma mater (St. Catherine High), which will be used as a template for other high schools across the island.

 

“Sixth form was a particularly interesting and important experience for me. That’s where I developed most of my leadership skills and abilities. That’s where I got the grooming for leadership. I think sixth form is such a critical part of the school experience, now that more and more students are not just leaving school at fifth form,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister noted that in light of such widespread interest, it is now incumbent on the nation’s high schools to put the facilities in place to accommodate the demand.

 

Mr. Holness said that a team has already been assembled to start working on the design and that he expects that the (St. Catherine High) facility should be completed within 18 to 24 months.

 

“I visited the school on Labour Day (May 23), and we have settled on a location. It will be central between the junior and senior campus, and some funds have already been committed. While the timeframe is anywhere between 18 months and two years, it could well be earlier based on the interest being shown by many of our past students,” the Prime Minister said.

 

The Ministry of Education, under the guidance of portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, has long been pushing for more schools to implement sixth-form programmes.

 

To that end, Senator Reid said the Government has implemented a textbook rental for sixth-form students in the coming school year, so as to offset cost for students who have opted to continue their high-school education, as opposed to moving on to college or taking a break from school.

 

“While sixth form can be an expensive venture, we would rather students remain in school as opposed to leaving and not having anything to do,” the Minister said in a recent interview.

 

“We feel that by implementing the textbook rental, we can give parents a much-needed break on the cost of having students moving on to sixth form,” Senator Reid added.

 

CAPTION: Prime Minister, the Most Hon Andrew Holness (centre), with some of his St. Catherine High School class of 1988 batch-mates at their 30th anniversary banquet, held at the Jewels Runaway Bay Beach and Golf Resort in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on July 14. From right are Bryan Hastings, Andrine West Davidson, Leonie Dixon Sylvester, Georgia Laverna Robinson, Merle Donaldson and Garfield Gordon.

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says that schools are benefiting from the effective management of principals who have been trained and certified by the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL).

 

The Ministry’s policy position is that no principal can be appointed to lead an educational institution unless he/she has done the requisite training at the NCEL.

 

“We have seen the tremendous result of that, where the schools that have these trained and certified principals are emerging and they are doing well,” Senator Reid said.

 

He was addressing the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) Sixth Biennial General Meeting and National Conference held at Jamaica College in St. Andrew on Saturday (July 14).

 

NCEL is the premier educational leadership training and development organisation creating world-class leaders for Jamaica and the global community.

 

Its mission is to develop and support highly competent, educational leaders, who are able to create and sustain effective schools, thereby contributing to national development.

 

Minister Reid told his audience that the NCEL is moving to equip vice principals, senior teachers and bursars “because the Ministry wants to ensure that people are trained appropriately for the roles and responsibilities that they are asked to take on”.

 

“We must strive in all we do to make sure that the persons serving our children at all levels within our schools are highly trained, highly effective, so that quality education can be delivered to the population,” he stressed.

 

Senator Reid encouraged members of the NPTAJ to continue to serve on school Boards, which are charged with ensuring the effective management of institutions.

 

“Stakeholders like parents are very important. It is a role that we want to cement,” he said.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (right), is in discussion with Opposition Spokesman on Education and Training, the Reverend Ronald Thwaites, at the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) Sixth biennial general meeting and national conference held on Saturday (July 14), at Jamaica College in St. Andrew.

JIS: For over three decades, Rev. Owen Lambert, has been driven by a passion to educate and to uplift his community through teaching.

 

It is this passion and dedication which has now earned him the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education, which was presented to him at a ceremony at Jamaica House on June 27.

 

Rev. Lambert, who was principal of Campbell’s Castle Primary and Infant School in rural Manchester for 27 years until his retirement this year, was recognized for his innovative approach to leadership, his creativity, community involvement and overall outstanding service as an educator.

 

In an interview with JIS News following the award ceremony, Rev. Lambert said he feels honoured and humbled by the recognition.

 

“I was not working for any honour. I was just trying to do my best. I feel humbled that someone would have seen that and recognized me for my efforts,” he said.

 

Rev. Lambert started his teaching career at Mandeville All-Age in the 1980s, followed by a stint at El Instituto de Mandevilla and later the Bethabra All-Age School, also in the parish.

 

In 1991, he became principal at Campbell’s Castle, which at the time had a student population of 40, as well as a number of underqualified teachers, poorly maintained facilities and parents who were less than enthusiastic about the prospects of the school.

 

Rev. Lambert said he worked to increase the population of the school, to a high of 180 currently, by changing the perception of the institution in the community. Total monthly attendance at the school was also improved, which was achieved by giving tokens to students who were consistently present.

 

He also embarked on a programme geared at educating parents about the value of ensuring children attend school regularly.

 

 “The children had not been passing the exams, so I had to engage the parents on the importance of attendance and have them make a commitment to the education of their children. It was a long process, it did not happen overnight,” he said.

 

Attendance at the school moved from 50 per cent to an average of over 85 per cent.

 

He explained he also ensured that teachers furthered their studies to receive at least a Bachelor’s degree.

 

“It has been a fulfilling journey and I am happy with what I have achieved so far,” Rev. Lambert said.

 

Seeking to improve the physical condition of the school and by extension the outcomes of the pupils, he approached the Japanese Government in 2016 for help to carry out refurbishing work at the school, and received a donation. This donation was matched by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, which led to the first phase of improvement works at the institution.

 

A second phase of work is to commence, which will lead to an additional five classrooms, a computer room, principal’s office, a staff room, among other facilities.

 

Rev. Lambert said he is happy his successor will be able to benefit from the improvements to the school and is confident that the improved facilities will significantly impact teaching and learning at the institution.

 

“I am glad I am able to leave a legacy that the person who takes over leadership after me won’t have to start from scratch,” he said.

 

Under his leadership, Campbell’s Castle has seen steady improvements in both the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and the Grade Four Literacy Test.

 

In 2013, it won the prestigious Aubrey Phillips Memorial scholarship for the student with the highest (GSAT) average for primary schools in Manchester. The award was given to Anni-Vee Moore, who received an average score of 97.5 per cent.

 

The following year, Campbell’s Castle placed first in the Ministry of Education’s GSAT ranking in the Primary School section, for the parish of Manchester.

 

That same year, the institution also saw a 96 per cent pass rate in the Grade Four Literacy Test. Additionally the school has repeatedly won the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) district spelling competition for the Grades one to three category.

 

“I am a goal-oriented person, and one of my goals is always to make anywhere I am better than it was when I came there. I am driven by a passion for education and for service and as long as I have people who will work with me, I will guide the vision,” he said.

 

CAPTION: Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, (left) presents Retired Principal of Campbell’s Castle Primary and Infant School, Rev. Owen Lambert (right) with the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education at the awards ceremony held on the lawns of Jamaica House on June 27.

JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) will allow students to be better prepared for high school.

 

Speaking at the Ministry’s Region Six appreciation banquet for retired principals, and launch of the School Improvement Support Initiative at The Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on July 12, the Minister said the profile of students will reflect more their ability and the likelihood of the foundation as they transition into secondary school.

 

“Multiple choice [questions] actually skew the results. They get good grades through Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and after the first year in high school you really wonder, was this a student with 90 per cent, because 90 per cent was with multiple choice,” he argued.

 

The PEP, which students will sit for the first time next year, replaces the GSAT as the national secondary school placement examination. It is intended to provide an improved and more complete profile of students’ academic and critical-thinking capabilities at the end of primary-level education.

 

Senator Reid pointed out that high schools require a higher level of critical thinking, for which PEP will prepare the students.

 

“It will give you greater certainty and predictability in even your Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) or any other achievement later on. So, we are going through the change, and it’s a change for the better. We need to push the system along that pathway,” the Minister said.

 

Meanwhile, the Minister congratulated the retirees, noting that they have been able to inspire others through exhibiting good leadership.

 

“You are adept at building relationships with people. You balanced tough love with earned praise, you exhibited fairness and consistency and you were prepared for everything and at all times,” he said.

 

For her part, Regional Director, Region Six, Elaine Roulston, said the School Improvement Support Initiative is part of plans to improve the institutions in the region, based on the results from the National Education Inspectorate Report.

 

“Our schools are really not where we want them to be in terms of the academics. [However], many schools have moved from unsatisfactory to satisfactory and some have moved from satisfactory to good. What is of importance to us in the region is that everybody moves to satisfactory and above,” Mrs. Roulston said.

 

The Initiative is designed to support schools that have been rated unsatisfactory and below by the National Education Inspectorate.

 

Schools will be exposed to results-based monitoring and evaluation training. This will seek to provide school administrators with the skills to develop results-based intervention programmes and projects.

 

Each school will be required to implement two intervention programmes. One of the programmes must focus on teaching and learning (Mathematics, English Language or Science). Other programme areas include leadership and management, co-curricular and student leadership, safety and security, social and welfare, and technical and vocational.

 

A school improvement partner will be assigned to each school for a period of two years. The Ministry and the school-improvement partners will provide the coaching and the required resources during the implementation period. The initiative will be evaluated quarterly and annually.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, addresses the Ministry’s Region Six appreciation banquet for retired principals and launch of the School Improvement Support Initiative, at The Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on July 12.

JIS: Approximately 600 mathematics coaches and specialists assigned to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information are slated to benefit from the second staging of the Book Merchant Limited’s (BML) Mathematics Teacher Training workshop from August 21 to 23.

 

The three-day session involves collaboration with Shortwood Teachers’ College and will be staged at the institution’s campus, 77 Shortwood Road, Kingston 8.

 

Addressing a JIS Think Tank on Wednesday (July 11), Chief Executive Officer of BML, Sharon Neita, said that this year’s event comes against the success of the inaugural workshop held in 2017.

She informed that a programme called Scholastic Prime Mathematics will be employed during the training.

 

The programme is a compilation of the best practices of the three top-performing mathematics nations – Singapore, Republic of Korea and Hong Kong.

 

BML, an agent of the United States-based Scholastic International, discovered the programme through Scholastic in 2015 to assist local teachers and students with the teaching and learning of maths.

 

Ms. Neita said the three-day workshop will be divided into panel discussions and breakout sessions covering various topics.

 

These include key practices of top-performing nations, the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach, introduction to the Bar Model Method, lesson planning and developing assessment instruments of the 21st century learner.

 

A new course called Differentiated Literacy Instruction will be introduced this year, through which teachers will learn how to interpret and use data to plan and deliver lessons that meet the needs of diverse learners in their classrooms.

 

Mathematics instructors will include Scholastic Programme Implementation and Professional Development Specialist, Kelly Lim from Singapore, along with several local and regional Prime Mathematics trainers. The literacy component will be delivered by renowned educational consultant and lecturer, University of the West Indies, Mona and Educator, trainer and senior Manager for Scholastic Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, Miguel Melendez. Ms. Neita is appealing for public- and private-sector support for the workshop.

 

Acting Vice Principal of Administrative Affairs at Shortwood Teachers’ College, Dr. Claudette Barrett-March, said that the institution is elated to be partnering with BML to host such an important workshop.

 

She noted that the college is always in the business of capacity-building; therefore, it welcomes every opportunity to provide training.

 

Shortwood Teachers’ College will provide accommodation and meals for participants who are desirous of staying on campus. Persons, who successfully complete the workshop, will receive certification from the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC).

 

Deadline for registration is Sunday, August 5. For further information on registration and cost persons may contact the BML at [email protected].

 

CAPTION: Chief Executive Officer of Book Merchant Limited, Sharon Neita, provides details about the Mathematics Teacher Training workshop, during a JIS Think Tank on July 11. The three-day workshop will take place from August 21 to 23 at Shortwood Teachers’ College, St. Andrew.

JIS: Six hundred and fifty high-school students across the island are to benefit from a $100-million Hospitality and Tourism Management Programme (HTMP) this year, which will see them gaining internationally recognised certification in the industry.

 

To be rolled out in 30 high schools in mid-September, the intense two-year programme will be offered to students in grades 11, 12 and 13, free of cost.

 

It will provide participants with broad-based learning on the tasks, knowledge and skills required to build a career within the hospitality and tourism industry.

 

A joint initiative between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, and the Ministry of Tourism, the programme is being facilitated under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

 

The MOU was signed by portfolio Minister in the Education Ministry, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, and Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, during a ceremony at Jamaica House on Wednesday (July 11).

 

Minister Reid said he endorsed the initiative, noting that it is timely and consistent with the Ministry’s overall plans for the education and training sector.

 

He said it is specifically aligned with the Ministry’s ‘K-13’ strategy, which seeks to ensure that the education system reaches students from conception to age 18.

 

Senator Reid further noted that the programme is also important in preparing students to be adequately trained for the nuances of the industry.

 

In his remarks, Minister Bartlett said the programme will result in a fully trained, highly efficient workforce that can provide the best experience for visitors.

 

“There is nothing that makes a destination more appealing than (high levels of service). We seek to build the capacity of our human resources, because tourism is all about people and building people for creative exposure,” he said.

 

The HTMP is offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), as part of its suite of programmes aimed at high-school students. It was developed by industry experts and members of the American Hotel and Lodging Association as the official industry-recognised curriculum to prepare students for roles in hotels and the hotel industry at large and beyond.

 

The 30 teachers who will be delivering the programme content for the courses will be specially trained to do so. They will participate in the AHLEI’s Certified Hospitality Instructor (CHI) training programme in August. This will also involve participation of teachers from 15 colleges.

 

Graduates of this programme will gain an Associate Degree in Customer Service; AHLEI Certification; National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J) level 4 Certification; and Customer Service Industry Association recognition.

 

The programme will also include internships, facility tours and the completion of academic and practical tasks in class and online.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre), presents Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), with a copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the implementation of a $100-million Hospitality and Tourism Management Programme in 30 high schools across the island. Both Ministers signed the agreement during a ceremony at Jamaica House on Wednesday (July 11). Also pictured is Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry, Jennifer Griffith.