The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has launched a pilot project aimed at improving students’ performance in Mathematics at 20 primary and secondary schools.

Underlining this thrust will be the focus on STEM/STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics/Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

The Reskilling Teachers Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in STEM Education to Raise Students’ Maths Identity (RAISE) Initiative aims to equip educators with STEAM-infused methodologies to improve student outcomes, particularly in mathematics.

This initiative, being undertaken in collaboration with the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) Inc. and 21st Century Education, is an expansion of the Ministry’s 1962 STEM/STEAM Programme.

The RAISE pilot will cost US$100,000 and is being funded by AFJ donors, Peter and Lisa Walker.

It will target 10 high schools and 10 primary schools across the island, focusing on enhancing students’ maths identity by providing teachers with cutting-edge AI-driven tools and strategies.

The beneficiary primary schools include St Martin de Porres in St. Andrew, Cockburn Gardens in Kingston and Annotto Bay All-Age in St. Mary.

Among the selected secondary schools are Norman Manley High in Kingston, Papine High in St. Andrew and Green Pond High in St. James.

Speaking during the initiative’s launch at the Ministry’s office in Kingston on Wednesday (March 19), Portfolio Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, welcomed RAISE, noting that it will help to significantly improve educational outcomes.

“The foundation of any successful education system rests heavily on the preparedness of our educators. So, what’s happening here with the RAISE initiative, which aims to enhance STEM education through teacher reskilling using AI technologies, is a prime example of how technology deployment and strategic investment in teacher development can be used to improve educational outcomes,” she reasoned.

The Minister thanked AFJ for financing the initiative, underscoring the importance of partnerships in advancing education.

“Without this kind of support, we cannot do it… we can’t do it alone as a Ministry. We don’t have the kind of budget we would like to have to do all of these things. so we really rely on partners,” she added.

Executive Director of AFJ, Caron Chung, noted that the organisation has been funding projects in Jamaica for more than 42 years.

She expressed the hope that the RAISE initiative will make an indelible mark on the children who will benefit.

Ms. Chung noted that the primary goals of the project are to train and certify STEM leaders, enhance student engagement and significantly improve maths scores across participating schools.

“This project will not only focus on structured implementation but will also include ongoing assessments and continuous refinement to ensure we are maximising the impact. We are committed to adapting and improving this initiative as we go along, so that it continues to meet the needs of both the students and teachers, fostering an environment where STEM education thrives,” she said.

The AFJ Director emphasised that the importance of STEM education in an ever-changing world cannot be overstated.

“As we move further into the 21st century, the need for innovation, critical thinking and technical skills is more urgent than ever before. They help to equip students with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in this ever-changing global landscape,” she stated.

Ms. Chung said the AFJ is proud to play a role in advancing education and empowering the next generation of leaders in Jamaica.

“We believe that by investing in STEM education, we’re investing in the future of our country, helping to create a workforce that is skilled, innovative and prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead,” she added.

Meanwhile, Vice President of Curriculum and Implementations at 21st Century Education, Dr. Jerome Taylor, said he is looking forward to working on the project.

“I am particularly excited about reskilling teachers through AI, using artificial intelligence for STEM and STEAM education. We are going to train teachers in schools to focus on maths, to home in on that specific area, to help our kids excel, not just in maths, but in STEM and STEAM careers. I think this is going to be a monumental and remarkable endeavour,” he posited.

Dr. Taylor added that 21st Century is already making an impact in Jamaica through its work with the 1962 STEM/STEAM pilot project, currently under way.

The project, which was implemented in September 2023, incorporates 42 schools and almost 100 educators across the island.