NET Commended for 15 Years of Pivotal Service to Education

As the National Education Trust (NET) celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, is commending the entity for its critical role in advancing Jamaica’s education sector.

This, she notes, through infrastructure development; scholarships; grants; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) expansion; technology integration; sustainable initiatives and strategic partnerships, while underscoring the power of collaboration, shared vision and sustained investment in education.

“The Government alone can’t do everything. It was designed to bridge the gap between government priorities and private sector engagement.” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon was addressing NET’s anniversary launch at the Caenwood Centre in Kingston on Thursday (February 6) under the theme ‘Celebrating 15 Years of Partnership and Progress: Impacting the Education Sector in Jamaica Together’.

The launch commenced with a symbolic march from the Ministry at National Heroes Circle to NET’s office at Caenwood Centre, signifying the agency’s journey of collaboration and progress.

NET, a charitable organisation and government agency, has been a driving force in transforming the education sector by mobilising resources and fostering strategic partnerships with the Jamaican Diaspora, as well as local and international stakeholders.

Some 205 schools and 250,000 students have been impacted by projects coordinated by NET.

Among the entity’s achievements are the construction of ramps and installation of handrails at various schools to increase accessibility; disbursement of more than 42,000 devices under the ‘One Laptop or Tablet per Child’ Initiative and the Schools Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Public-Private Partnership (PPP) pilot project to cut energy costs in 30 institutions by 40 to 70 per cent.

Meanwhile, Dr. Morris Dixon thanked donors and partners for their contribution and dedication.

“We can only make the strides we are making with our partners. So, I thank you again and, as we celebrate, we have to look ahead. The next 15 years will require even greater innovation, resilience, commitment and even more support,” she said.

NET Executive Director, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, advised that the entity will spearhead 15 legacy projects this year, focused on early childhood, special needs and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

“Together, we are going to transform education. We do not have a choice. We must do better for our children, and our commitment is to ensure that we are making Jamaica the gateway to the world for our children,” Mrs. Harris-Ghartey said.