By Kevin Clarke, Gleaner Writer 
President of the Rotary Club of Kingston, Leo Nesbeth (right), speaks with some students who were successful in the GSAT examinations. Looking on is Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry-Wilson. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
MINISTER OF Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry-Wilson, yesterday said her Ministry will be focusing on improving the quality of early childhood education available to children.
The Education Minister said that this will be done through a number of initiatives undertaken by the Government.
"We have borrowed money from the Caribbean Development Bank to upgrade a number of early childhood institutions to create model basic schools and the commitment was given that our basic schools would have at least one trained teacher per school, once they are recognised," she said.
Mrs. Henry-Wilson stressed the importance of the quality of education in early childhood education and said that the Shortwood Teachers' College was in the process of building an institute of early childhood education. This, she said, would help to develop quality teachers and materials.
MODUALR UPGRADING
The minister said that HEART/NTA has introduced a modular upgrading for teachers who are in early childhood education but who are certified.
"Through the modules being done by HEART, they (teachers) can upgrade themselves while on the job and become better early childhood professionals," she said.
The Minister also disclosed that standard tests administered at the grade 1 and grades 3-4 will be streamlined this year and feedback will be sent to schools for improvement measures to be made and, in light of these tests, she announced that summer camps for children at risk in the grade 4 level are ongoing.
The JAMAL programme will also be upgraded and modernised with the introduction of the new High School Equivalency Programme for adults who did not complete secondary education.
Minister Henry-Wilson was the guest speaker at a luncheon put on by the Rotary Club of Kingston, for their 'Literacy Month' celebrations, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
The event saw the club handing out four scholarships to students who were recently successful at the GSAT examinations.
