Minister Thwaites Lauds Educators For Advancements In Sector

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites has congratulated teachers, principals, and other players for the “tremendous efforts” being made to ensure the development and transformation of the education sector.

Addressing a large group of educators from across the island during the official opening ceremony of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association’s 50^th Anniversary Conference at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay on Friday, August 22, Minister Thwaites said many teachers have often gone beyond the call of duty to care and nurture  the nation’s future leaders. He also congratulated incoming president, Doran Dixon on behalf of the Ministry of Education, stating that, “we have already begun to strengthen a respectful and productive partnership…as together we embark on the improvement in education … we greet teachers gathered here and spread across Jamaica with appreciation and respect”. Observing that the JTA’s 50^th anniversary celebrations coincide with the marking of 10 years since the beginning of the education transformation process, the Education Minister challenged the society, to join in a “sturdy partnership” in order to consolidate the gains made, and to surge ahead.

“Amidst resource constraints, we all must keep the transformation momentum going.  This calls for strategic leadership among Ministry of Education officials, strong partnership with the JTA and other leaders in the education sector, teachers, students and parents,” the Education Minister asserted.

Pointing to visible improvement in the education sector, Minister Thwaites informed that a school-wide survey of needs has been completed and is being analyzed for the upgrading of science laboratories in several primary and secondary schools.

He added that “the advancement in education transformation has begun with the National Mathematics programme, where we have seen significant bettering of this year’s GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) and CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) Maths results.  The surge will continue with the island-wide deployment of 90 Math coaches in September,” Minister Thwaites pointed out.

Rev. Thwaites further informed that significant gains have also being made in the teaching and learning of English Language as reflected in the 2014 CSEC results.

“Again, teachers have played a critical role as they have responded positively to the various interventions introduced by the Ministry of Education  … it is particularly gratifying to witness the improved performances in CSEC Maths and English by about 100 schools considered marginal or under-performing,” he outlined.

As a group, the Minister said, these schools increased their CSEC Math passes by 13 percentage points over 2013.

“These schools have also shown significant improvements in their average pass rates for English.  We wish to single out those teachers and Ministry personnel who have been involved in the thrust to improve literacy and language arts,” Rev. Thwaites added.

He indicated that the positive and encouraging results from this year’s GSAT and CSEC showed the positive outcome that was possible when teachers and Ministry officials work together to implement targeted measures and programmes, to improve teaching and learning.

“In this day of reflection and good prospect, the Ministry of Education invites the Jamaica Teachers’ Association to join with all people of good will and to identify a band that seeks to correct those aspects of our culture which demean our children and our women and hamper rather than help the growth of positive social attitudes and good behavior for effective education,” the Education Minister asserted.