Acknowledging that there are significant challenges in the education system today due to the effects of COVID-19, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says many of our students are not learning at the level, pace and stage at which they would be were they in the usual face-to-face learning modality, according to a Jamaica Information Services (JIS) press release.
He says the government is concerned that this cohort of Grade 6 students would be behind as they transition to grade 7 but that the government is not going to allow that to affect the remainder of their education cycle. ”Whatever we have to do,” he said “to catch up on what you (students) have lost and to ensure that you (students) have the foundation skills to advance to higher learning, the government is committed to ensuring that this is done.”
The prime minister made the commitment as he addressed a gathering of students and parents at the Calabar Infant, Primary and Junior High School in Central Kingston on Friday, May 14, during a tablet distribution ceremony.
He said, “I want to give you that assurance as children and I want to give that assurance to your parents. It is something that is near and dear to my heart and I am going to ensure that you are not adversely affected because of the measures that we have had to put in place to control the pandemic.”
Holness also emphasized that the government is developing a new framework for broadband internet access across the length and breadth of Jamaica to ensure that every Jamaican household can access broadband internet whether through wired service or wireless service. He says the planning is far advanced and the program should be at an advanced stage of completion within two years.