New Initiative Launched to Modernise Teaching of Geography in Schools
By: , October 2, 2026
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (center), cuts the ribbon to open the exhibition hall at the Spatial ArcGIS User Conference held recently at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston. Looking on (from second left) are Caribbean Lead in Fugro's Climate and Nature Practice, Dr. Valrie Grant; Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Chairman, Spatial Innovision, Dr. Silburn Clarke; Deputy CEO of Spatial Innovision, Roshaun Clarke; Principal Director, National Spatial Data Management Branch at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID), Alicia Edwards, and Technical Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Alexander Causwell.
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third right), engages in discussion with Senior Geographic Information System (GIS) Manager and Trainer, National Spatial Data Management Division (NSDMD), Simone Lloyd (left), and GIS Infrastructure Manager, Orlando Waisome (second left). The occasion was the recent Spatial ArcGIS User Conference held at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston.
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), listens as Regional Sales Manager, EOS Positioning Systems, Satyam Dave (left), demonstrates one of the company’s devices during the Spatial ArcGIS User Conference at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston on September 29.The Full Story
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced the launch of the MapMakers pilot programme, which will be implemented in eight high schools across the country.
Dr. Holness made the disclosure during the official opening of the two-day Spatial ArcGIS User Conference at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston on September 29.
“MapMakers is a global collaboration between Esri and the National Geographic Society to modernise the teaching of geography in our schools and universities. The pilot will begin in eight high schools and will equip geography teachers with the tools they need to teach geography to a 21st century standard,” the Prime Minister informed.
He said the initiative will be driven regionally by Spatial Innovation and delivered locally through the Government’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Schools Education Programme.
Prime Minister Holness also underscored the importance of GIS to national development, describing data as a critical component of the country’s infrastructure.
“When the storm came, it was the investment in the data gathering, data storing, and data analysis of our geography that made us make sense of everything else,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of Spatial Innovation, Dr. Silburn Clarke, highlighted the development of GIS over the past 28 years and its growing importance in decision-making and innovation.
He noted that GIS has evolved from a specialised field into a tool that supports a wide range of activities across government agencies and other organisations.
Dr. Clarke said the future of GIS will be increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, real time information and predictive analysis, which can help users identify patterns and anticipate events.
He emphasised, however, that people will remain central to the development and application of the technology.
“The main driver of the changes that we will be experiencing in the future will be from you guys,” he said.
Dr. Clarke encouraged the participants to share experiences, challenge conventional thinking and collaborate to develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing Jamaica and the wider region.
