Cabinet Approves Development Of National Higher-Education Policy

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, says Cabinet has granted approval for the development of a National Higher-Education Policy, in a bid to increase quality assurance and monitoring of higher-education institutions.

The Minister pointed out that the new Policy will “govern the higher-education sector”.

Mrs. Williams provided details during her contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (April 28).

The Policy will provide a framework that should streamline that sector to work in a cohesive and efficient manner and facilitate the relevant achievements and outcomes of Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan towards national sustainable development.

“In addition, a new funding model linking national goals and imperatives, such as research, and labour market requirements is to be developed through the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission,” the Minister said.

To date, Jamaica has three universities, five community colleges, six teachers’ colleges, two polytechnic colleges and four workforce training institutions, which stand to benefit from the National Higher Education Policy.