News

Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer

Education Minister Andrew Holness has restated the Government's commitment to increase expenditure on early-childhood education as part of its strategy to expand its presence in the sector.

Holness, who was speaking last Friday at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of new basic-school facilities in Waterhouse, St Andrew, said the Government was seeking to take over existing basic schools that fulfilled the ministry's standards, and have good infrastructure and capacity for expansion

"We will be looking in the poorest areas, in the poorest communities, to see the basic schools that we can take over. That will mean that the Government will have to increase its expenditure on early childhood," Holness said.

The education minister added that the ministry would have complete responsibility for the operations of schools it took over, including students, who would be able to access early-childhood education free of cost.

Holness, who revealed the Government planned on building 15-17 basic schools, said the ministry's strategy would be guided by the Planning Institute of Jamaica's poverty map.

"Just last week, the Cabinet approved the use of grants to build out infant schools and to convert junior high-school spaces and all-age spaces, once they have been phased out into infant departments," Holness said.

The education minister said a major challenge facing Jamaica's 2,740 basic schools was the inability of many institutions to meet acceptable standards of service delivery established by the Early Childhood Commission.

No compromise

He said despite these problems, his ministry would not be compromising these standards as it expected the schools to work towards achieving them.

The $31.6-million project, which involves building and equipping new classrooms, teachers' facilities and a playground at the End Time Basic School in Waterhouse, is funded through Phase Two of the European Union's (EU) Poverty Alleviation Programme.

The EU is providing $23.5 million towards the four-month construction project, which is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.

Member of Parliament for South Western St Andrew, Anthony Hylton, used the occasion to warn extortionists that their activities would not be tolerated during construction, as he would be working closely with political representatives to ensure the project is finished on time and within budget.