Thwaites to place emphasis on early-childhood education

Education minister Ronald Thwaites says he will be placing priority on early-childhood education with the aim of reducing the billions spent annually on remedial programmes.

"I plan to place emphasis on early-childhood education so that we stop wasting billions of dollars annually on remedial education. We must do it right the first time," Thwaites told The Gleaner yesterday.

Thwaites said that while remedial programmes in schools will have to be intensified, in the short term they cannot be sustained.

"I respect what the ministry has done up to now, the previous minister in charge, to try and do remedial work and to ensure that there is that catch up after grade four. But, I think that will have to be intensified and eventually phased out" Thwaites said.

Former education minister Andrew Holness had created the Alternative Secondary Transitional Education Programme (ASTEP) to assist students who fail the Grade Four Literacy Test. Some 6,000 students failed the test last year.

Thwaites said the strengthening of the early-childhood education system will ensure children are prepared for learning at higher levels of the educational system. He added that he would also be encouraging the use of technology in the teaching and learning process.

"I hope to bring a renewed emphasis on using information technology to improve pedagogy to the school system, which is lacking in so many areas," Thwaites said.

Efficient system

Additionally, he said he plans to introduce a more efficient system to fund education.

"No child, no students whose parent and family cannot afford to pay for primary education should be denied. But those who can afford to contribute will be made to do so" the education minister said.

In the meantime, Thwaites said he will also be moving ahead with plans to abolish the shift system in some primary and secondary schools across the country.

The minister did not give a timeline, but added however, "As soon as possible, this will require cooperation from entities like churches to assist us, as they did in the past, to introduce new school places."

He said funding for tertiary education will also be a main concern of his leadership, adding that he will be focusing on research and development, and developing better loan terms and access to financing.