Progress Made on Several Recommendations in Patterson Report says Education Minister

Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, delivers remarks during the inaugural National Youth Leaders’ Summit at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, on Wednesday (November 30). (Mark Bell/JIS)

Education Minister Fayval Williams gave an update on the progress of the implementation of recommendations, from the 2021 Orlando Patterson Report on education on Thursday.

She notes that the ministry has been able to make gains out of five of the seven areas recommended for development.

A proposed education philosophy has also been created.

The minister was speaking at the quarterly press conference of the Education Transformation Oversight Committee.

Nora Gay Banton tells us more.

Minister Williams says the recommendation for the licensing of teachers is at an advanced stage. This along with enabling the Jamaica Teaching Council to act as the sole entity to issue teacher licenses.

As for the management of education information, Williams says a firm has been engaged to manage that process.

Williams adds that funding has been obtained from the International Development Bank, to facilitate the strategic review of the ministry’s structure in identifying inefficiencies.

She notes that work is being done to increase the quality of teaching and learning, with 300 early childhood teachers to benefit from training for this academic year.

In updating the nation about the improvement of the curriculum, it was disclosed that a total of 248 schools are under-performing.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister has announced a proposed education philosophy, one of the recommendations from the Patterson Report.

Meanwhile Chairman of the Education Transformation Oversight Committee, ETOC, Dr. Adrian Stokes says there’s need for an increase in the pace of implementation.

Dr. Stokes says the Mona School of Business consulting arm has been recruited, to finalise the implementation plan.

Dr. Adrian Stokes, Chairman of the Education Transformation Oversight Committee, ETOC.

Acting-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Maureen Dwyer says the ministry is far advanced in the recruitment of a Chief Education Transformation Officer.

Maureen Dwyer, Acting-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education.

Dwyer says a project lead for ETOC should be in place by December 16.