Gov’t Recommits to Creating Safer Environments in Schools

The Government remains committed to the ongoing implementation of measures aimed at creating safer environments in schools.

Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the administration has invested “heavily” in developing and implementing security strategies to this end.

These, he said, include training and deploying approximately 1,000 safety and security officers, with an additional 400 to come on stream shortly.

Additionally, Senator Reid said the Ministry will be distributing safety and security manuals to schools to assist administrators in developing safety procedures for their institutions.

He was speaking at the Jamaica Teachers Association’s (JTA) 52^nd annual conference held recently at the Hilton Hotel and Spa in Rose Hall, St. James

Senator Reid said the administration remained committed to giving every secondary level student a “fighting chance” by affording them the opportunity of acquiring an education over a minimum of seven years.

He reiterated that this would go a far way in reducing the number of youngsters leaving the secondary system without being adequately prepared for work or to pursue further education.

“The Career Advancement Programme (CAP) will provide opportunities for all our students to be placed on a career path that should lead to gainful employment,” he stated.

The Minister also highlighted the impending introduction of several new programmes within the education system during the 2016/17 academic year.

These include: a revised National Assessment Programme that will be linked to the new curriculum; and the introduction of a Grade Two diagnostics test to replace the Grade Three format.

The latter, he explained, guarantees a longer period of student preparation for the Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy Tests, “which could eventually be morphed into a common test of English and Mathematics at Grade Four.”

In noting that the Grade One Individual Learning Profile will be retained, Senator Reid indicated that plans are “well underway” to introduce the Primary Exit Profile which will replace the Grade Six Achievement Test in 2018.”

Regarding monetary allocations to schools, Senator Reid said janitorial, maintenance and regular grants have been dispatched to the relevant institutions.

Additionally, he advised that schools have also been provided with funds to assist with “critical repairs”, while the National Education Trust and Technical Services Unit have been presiding over various school construction projects islandwide.

Senator Reid encouraged school administrators to undertake measures that will improve the teaching/learning process, thereby strengthening the level of support provided for students.

“Our schools should continue to operate at a certain level, always striving for excellence. The child-friendly approach and the creation of a learner-centred environment should be embedded in the overall principles and practices of your schools,” he underscored.