Major Investment for Comprehensive Infrastructural Overhaul of Primary and High Schools
By: July 17, 2024 ,The Full Story
Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, says it will require a substantial investment of billions of dollars to do a comprehensive infrastructural overhaul of the 1,009 primary and high schools in Jamaica.
Mrs. Williams, who was the guest speaker at the recent gathering of the Holmwood Technical High School Class of 1974 50th anniversary in St Ann, said it is against this background that the Ministry is appealing for patience and understanding from stakeholders, recognising that the comprehensive transformation of school infrastructure is an expensive venture as well as an ongoing investment.
“I will be the first to say that all our schools, barring none, do need an infrastructural upgrade. This year, the budget for school infrastructure is $2 billion. When you combine the 1,009 primary and high schools plus the over 2,000 infant and basic schools, then you get to see the magnitude of what we are dealing with,” the Minister pointed out.
“Infrastructure is an important part of what we are called on to do and will not only cost us billions of dollars but will take some time. It is going to take us some time because it is physical work that we are going to do. There is planning, designing and so on, but we are committed,” she added.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the work of the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission, led by Harvard Professor, Orlando Patterson, and convened by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, as a key blueprint for the future of education in the country.
She further emphasised that the Commission’s recommendations provide a crucial framework for establishing a comprehensive strategy, aimed at enhancing student performance and educational productivity across Jamaica’s education sector.
“The Government is set to embark on an ambitious programme focused on enhancing infrastructure and technology in schools. This initiative aims to create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning, ultimately benefiting both students and educators,” Ms. Williams said.
“However, we are just asking that we all understand that the implementation of all the Commission’s recommendations on a large scale would require patience, as numerous schools across the country are in need of significant infrastructural improvements,” the Minister added.
Mrs. Williams said the Government is dedicated to prioritising these improvements to ensure that all students have access to high-quality educational facilities conducive to their academic success.
The Jamaica Education Transformation Commission conducted an in-depth examination of the education sector.
This provides a blueprint for establishing a comprehensive strategy to improve student performance and educational productivity across the sector.
The 2021 Report makes recommendations for improvements in seven areas – governance, administration, leadership and legislation; early-childhood education; teaching curriculum and teacher training; tertiary education; infrastructure and technology; technical and vocational education and training (TVET); and finance.