Civics will Teach Students what it means to be Jamaican – Thwaites

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, said the re-introduction of civics in schools will give students a "new sense of responsibility and understanding of what it means to be a Jamaican."

He was speaking on August 8, at the Urban Development Corporation's (UDC) Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) awards luncheon held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.

The Ministry will launch the new civics programme on Friday, August 17 at the Marcus Garvey Technical High School in St. Ann.

The launch will take place on the birthday of Jamaica’s first National Hero, Marcus Garvey, at the school in St. Ann’s Bay, which is named in his honour. The Education Minister said the new civics programme will place special emphasis on the ideas and opinions of Gravey, who spoke of self-dignity and self-respect.

Civics was previously taught from grades seven to nine in all-age schools and at first form in high schools.

It educates students about citizenship, the structure and governance of the country, and other historical information.