The Jamaican government has signed a US$30 million agreement with the World Bank to fund several education initiatives that will benefit thousands of students and teachers across the island.
Dubbed the Jamaica Education Project (JEP) Loan Agreement, the project aims to improve teaching practices, inclusiveness, and learning conditions, and reach more vulnerable students, as well as the use of information for decision-making within the education system.
The project is expected to benefit around 150,000 secondary students, along with 6,000 teachers, school principals, Ministry of Education and Youth staff, education policymakers, and practitioners.
STEM high school to be built
The project will also provide about 2,400 students, at least half of whom will be girls, with access to a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) secondary school, which will be built in St. Ann.
Minister of Finance Dr. Nigel Clarke, said that it was important that education outcomes in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering are “dramatically” improved.
“That doesn’t mean that English and arts are not important and languages. They are critically important, but we are doing better in those than we have been doing in mathematics and in STEM subjects. In addition, to be able to attract higher-paying jobs we just need more Jamaicans who are qualified in these areas,” Dr. Clarke said.
“For this reason, we are very pleased to be commemorating this morning an arrangement with the World Bank whereby we will build our first STEM-dedicated high school in line with the Prime Minister’s vision. This will be the first of six such STEM schools in Jamaica,” he added.
The STEM school will also address existing gaps for vulnerable students, particularly boys, living in underserved areas, where schools are currently functioning over capacity.
Helping the most disadvantaged students
For her part, Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean countries, pledged that the project will benefit disadvantaged students in Jamaica.
“Jamaica is making noteworthy strides in education; however, challenges persist. In secondary education, there are issues with completion, equity and low student performance. This new project aims to bolster the Jamaican education system by enhancing access for the most disadvantaged students and improving the education outcomes,” Burunciuc said.
The project will also equip teachers to deliver the existing curriculum through better instructional practices and improve the use of assessments to support learning. Special attention will be given to digital and socio-emotional skills within the classroom.
The $30 million loan is financed through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and was signed by Clarke, Fayval Williams, Minister of Education and Youth and, Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Country Director for Caribbean countries.
Read: Jamaica to open STEM schools islandwide with help from the World Bank
