Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, says the Ministry continues to have dialogue with education stakeholders regarding the merger of some primary schools across the island. The plan is to combine smaller, struggling institutions with high-performing ones, in order to maximise resources and improve standards. The Education Minister was addressing a region five principals’ conference held on Friday (June 12),...

Several stakeholders in the education sector have come out in support of plans by the Ministry of Education to place students doing the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), in schools close to where they live. Responding to the idea, President of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, Heather Murray, told JIS News that it is a “move in...

The Ministry of Education is cognisant of the many challenges facing parents whose children have to attend schools that are far from where they live. Among the concerns are the availability and cost of transportation as well as the cost of lunch. These factors sometimes limit children’s attendance to three days per week. Schools also have been concerned about how...

The Ministry of Education has commended primary school principals and teachers for their efforts in preparing the nation’s children for the Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy Tests to be held on June 30 and July 1, 2015 respectively. A total of 116,250 candidates will sit the examination. In a recent bulletin to schools Chief Education Officer Dr Grace McLean advised...

Education Minister, Hon Rev. Ronald Thwaites, has lauded the St. Andrew High School for Girls, noting that the institution embodies a tradition of excellence, which is unrivalled in Jamaica’s secondary education system. He said the school continues to distinguish itself academically, and to develop students into well-rounded women, who make significant contribution to society. “The Ministry of Education looks with...

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, says the Ministry will be ensuring that students entering secondary school this year are placed in institutions close to where they live. He said the aim is to cut down on travel time and the gathering of students at bus parks, which he said, encourages idleness, and other negative behaviours. “So this year,...

Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, has called on the St. James business community to increase its support to education in the parish. Rev. Thwaites, who was addressing a luncheon staged by the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on June 4, said the support of the business people will ensure that the...