Governor-General Lauds Education Ministry for Initiatives

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall has lauded the Ministry of Education and Youth for pursuing initiatives, aimed at furthering the development of the country’s education system.
“It could not have come at an earlier time,” the Governor-General said in regard to the Ministry’s efforts, noting that one of the goals the government must strive to achieve in the 21st Century was broadening the access of education to include all citizens.
“We can no longer make progress without everyone in the country having a sound education,” he argued. Professor Hall was speaking at the National Council on Education (NCE) School Management awards ceremony, which was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, yesterday (May 17).
He pointed out that the era when students were celebrated for being in the top 10 per cent for their educational achievements should now be considered a thing of the past, given the rise of globalisation, and the need for persons to adapt to a changing world.
“Those days, I am afraid, are over . and they are over because we live in a world where the geographical boundaries have disappeared,” the Governor-General said.
Professor Hall stressed that given the current demands of globalisation, “there can be no opportunity then, for leaving any proportion of our population behind.there is no room therefore for saying that lifelong learning must not be part and parcel of our education system”.
The awards ceremony, which was held under the theme: “Commitment to Service: Embracing the Vision”, saw some 20 infant, primary, all-age and high schools from the Ministry of Education’s Regions One and Two being honoured for meeting four objectives as set out by the Council.
These objectives included programmes that were implemented to improve student achievement and to enhance school administration; initiatives designed to improve the governance machinery in the school; the ability to raise the level of interest, participation and motivation in school Board service islandwide; and the voluntary and collective contribution of persons to the service of education in Jamaica.
Awardees were honoured in categories such as, ‘Best Overall Performance’, ‘Outstanding School Improvement Plan’, ‘Special Project’ and ‘Adherence to Regulations’.
The National Council on Education is a statutory body established in March 1993 by an Act of Parliament. Its primary functions are to advise the Education and Youth Minister on policy matters relating to education in Jamaica, nominating suitable persons for appointment to Boards of Management of public educational institutions, and training Boards of Management of public educational institutions.
The Council is also mandated to assist in the preparation of plans and programmes for developing and maintaining an effective educational system, and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of educational programmes and making appropriate recommendations to the Minister.