$36.2 Million for Early Childhood Development Project

The Jamaica Early Childhood Development (Early Childhood Population Human Resource Development) Project, is set to benefit from $36.2 million, which has been set aside in the 2007/08 estimates of expenditure now before the House of Representatives.
As set out in the estimates, which were tabled by Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies yesterday (March 29), the funds will be used to complete 12 early childhood development studies; procure equipment; conduct an audit of the project; and finalize the scope of the new Early Childhood Development Project. The project is being funded by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and is being implemented by the Ministry of Education and Youth. Its main objective is to conduct preparatory activities for a new Early Childhood Development Project. Having commenced in May of last year and slated to end in January 2008, the initiative has to date recruited a technical coordinator; trained one staff member at the World Bank; completed 11 terms of references for consultancies; and prepared the new Early Childhood Development Project. There is also one consultancy in progress, with five slated to begin next month.