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