Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, The Hon. Maxine Henry-Wilson, addresses the House. (JIS Photo)
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KINGSTON (JIS) Friday, June 04, 2004 |
Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, The Hon. Maxine Henry-Wilson, addresses the House. (JIS Photo)
Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry-Wilson has said that with the High School Equivalency Programme (HSEP) now being piloted, the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) was to be re-branded to become the Continuing Education Agency for Adults, with responsibility for the administration of the HSEP.
Making her presentation on Tuesday (June 1) in the 2004/05 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House, Mrs. Henry-Wilson expressed concern over the number of children who were exiting the system "without anything to show for it". It was out of this concern, she said, that the HSEP had been introduced in 2003. "This is intended for utilization of independent learning methodologies, so that people can get the modules and do it on their own time and their own pace, to provide additional opportunities for adults 18 and over to earn a high school diploma outside of the formal system," she elaborated.
The current pilot project involves 300 learners in 10 centres completing a six-week programme in computer instruction. Mrs. Henry-Wilson noted that adult learners often did not have the time to engage in a classroom situation and as such, the modules were designed for an individual learning process. In the hotel industry for example, a number of persons are receiving training in the modules from trainers who go to them on their own time, after which they can go in to the centres for certification.
Full implementation of the HSEP is expected to begin by September 2004 and prior to this, discussions will be held with employers, employer groupings, providers of education and training at the secondary level, and other interested parties, with a view to entering into partnerships for the delivery of the programme. A national promotional campaign is to be launched shortly. "We pledge that we are going to try our best to achieve the goal of full literacy for Jamaica by 2007," the Minister stated.
See related story below:
2004/2005 Sectoral Debate Presentation By The Hon. Maxine Henry-Wilson,
Minister Of Education, Youth And Culture
Tuesday, 2004 June 1
People's National Party
89 Old Hope Road
Kingston 6, Jamaica W.I.
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Website: pnpjamaica.com