Holness to meet Alumni groups in Florida

FLORIDA — Minister of Education, Hon Andrew Holness, will address a special Diaspora Education Forum on Friday (June 24), at the Lauderdale Lakes Cultural and Education Center, 3580 West Oakland Park Boulevard, starting at 6 p.m.

The meeting is being organised by the Consulate General of Jamaica and the Coalition of Jamaica Alumni Associations (CJAA), in keeping with the Diaspora Engagement Policy and the recognition by the Government of Jamaica of the central role that the Diaspora plays in educational programme support.

The Minister will speak with Diaspora groups on the Government’s education thrust, as well as strategies incorporated in the present Education Plan to fulfill national development goals.

He will meet with the leaders of Jamaican alumni associations in South Florida to discuss their contribution to their schools, and the challenges they encounter in outreach activities. He will address concerns about the education system in Jamaica and talk with the groups, about resource gaps which can be addressed with the assistance of alumni associations.

There are approximately 50 Jamaican alumni groups in South Florida, representing primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. The CJAA is a recently formed entity comprising high school alumni groups.

Mr. Holness will also meet with umbrella organizations established by Jamaican educators in South Florida, which also contribute useful resources to the education system in Jamaica. These include the Jamaican Association of Miami-Dade Educators (JADE) and the Caribbean Association of Regional Educators (CARE). He will also participate in private meetings in South Florida.

By Cheryl Wynter (305-374-8384)