Integration in the Caribbean

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
The structure of education in Jamaican has gone through several stages of development over the years. The former education system was established in an agrarian society, intended to maintain and reinforce a social structure characterized by a small white elite and a largely black labouring class, however it has now evolved into an Industrial and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Age. This has contributed to shaping a system which is dynamic in nature, preparing students who are literate and numerate, realise and explore their full potential, whilst responding to national and global demands.
The Education Act of 1965 further regulated the system “….to meet the needs for greater self-financing capability, a better definition of Jamaica’s educational goals and the expansion of the system to meet both individual and national needs" Thus, four educational levels were defined: Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Further development in the system saw it evolving not only in terms of its structure but also in terms of its management and performance.

Early Childhood Level
Early Childhood education is offered in public and private institutions to children between the ages of 3-5 years of age. In the public sector, Early Childhood education is provided in Infant Schools and Infant departments of some Primary level schools. Nursery and Kindergarten departments of Independent Preparatory (private primary) schools also accept students at age 3. Independent/Private schools are largely confined to the main urban centres. In addition, there are a number of community operated Basic schools. These cater to the largest number of students at the Early Childhood level. Basic schools which meet certain minimum requirements are eligible for government subsidies and are called Recognised Basic Schools. Students at the Early Childhood level sit the Grade One Individual Learning Profile (GOILP) to ascertain their capabilities and mastery of the skills and concepts taught at the Early Childhood level, so that strategies can be developed to advance their learning.
The Early Childhood Commission, an agency of the MoE, is now solely responsible for the regulation and supervision of Basic Schools and the training of Early Childhood practitioners.

Primary Level
Primary education is offered in Grades 1-6 of Primary, Primary and Junior High, and All-Age schools. It is also offered in Grades 1-6 of Preparatory schools. Students are admitted to Primary level educational institutions at age 6. Primary schools are therefore designated feeder schools to all High schools. At the end of Grade 6 students in Primary level schools may sit the Grade Six Achievement Examination (GSAT) in order to gain admission to high schools.
The GSAT replaced the Common Entrance Examination in 1999. It is the assessment instrument that is used by the Ministry of Education to place students in Grade Seven of High Schools. The test is administered annually during March. The GSAT is a part of the National Assessment Programme, which assesses performance of students at the Primary level. Other components of this National Assessment Programme are the Grade One Individual Learning Profile, the Grade Three Diagnostic Test and the Grade Four Literacy Test.
Based on the grades students gain in the test they are placed into High schools or the Secondary department of All Age and Primary and Junior High Schools. At the All Age and Junior High Schools they can continue to Grades 7, 8 or 9, where they are allowed to sit the Technical Entrance Examination (in grade 8) for entry to Technical schools, and the Grade Nine Achievement Test (in Grade 9) to other types of High schools. These will give students another opportunity to gain entrance into the High school they desire to attend.

Secondary Level
The Secondary or High school system consists of two cycles. The first cycle commences in Grades 7-9 of All Age, Primary and Junior High schools, and High schools, including Technical High and Independent/Private High schools.
The second cycle is provided in Grades 10 and 11 of these schools (with the exception of All Age and Primary and Junior High schools) and in the Agricultural, Technical and Vocational schools. At the end of Grade 11 students sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects, administered by the Caribbean Examinations Councils (CXC). Some High schools have a continuing education programme, provided under the Career Advancement Programme and the Sixth Form/Pre-university programme (Grades 12 and 13) where students are prepared for entry to tertiary institutions. Students who are in Sixth Form sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at the end of Grades 12 and 13.

Tertiary Level
Tertiary education is offered in a variety of public and private institutions differing in history, mission, philosophy, and to a lesser extent, in programmes and structure. These institutions possess varying degrees of autonomy. These institutions may be further divided into those which are founded and established in Jamaica, and those that are offshore institutions. The offshore institutions main campuses are located outside of Jamaica, but they offer programmes through their campuses, and departments located in Jamaica. All tertiary institutions were established in response to educational needs at different times and offer not only degrees, but certificates and diplomas. The main accreditation body for tertiary institutions and their programmes is the University Council of Jamaica.

STRUCTURE (MoE Organisational Chart)
The Ministry of Education executes the Government’s mandate of ensuring a system which secures quality education and training for all persons in Jamaica in order to optimize individual and national development. As such, the Ministry of Education is the driving force for change, growth and development in education, providing the legislative framework, policies, strategies, plans, and resources to enable institutions, agencies and other bodies to achieve their agreed mandates.
The Ministry is guided by the Philosophy ‘Every Child Can Learn, Every Child Must Learn’, the Vision, ‘A customer- centred, performance oriented education system producing globally competitive, socially conscious Jamaican citizens’ and a Mission ‘to provide strategic leadership and policy direction for quality education for all Jamaicans to maximize their potential, contribute to national development and compete effectively in the global economy’, as it pursues its developmental goals for the nation .
The Ministry is headed by the Honourable Minister of Education who has the ultimate policy responsibility and authority for the development of education for the Jamaican citizens. Assisting and reporting directly to the Minister is the Permanent Secretary who is the accountable officer, with responsibility for the daily operations of the Ministry in carrying out its mandate. The Permanent Secretary is supported by a Chief Education Officer (CEO) and several Divisional Heads. The Organisational Chart below outlines the structure of the Ministry of Education.

THE EXECUTIVE

The Ministry of Education’s executive consists of: * Honourable Ronald Thwaites, M.P, Minister of Education * Mrs. Grace McLean, Permanent Secretary (Acting) * Mr. Clement Radcliffe, Chief Education Officer (Acting) * Home * About Us * Career Opportunities * Contact Us * Exam Results * Back To School * Partners * Adopt-A-School * Donate Educational Materials * National Education Trust Ltd. * Partnership Initiatives * Protecting Our Schools * Stakeholders * Parents * Students * Teachers * Forms & Manuals * Guidance Counsellor Appraisal * Principal Performance Appraisal * Safety and Security Manuals * School Feeding Weekly Returns *
HE EDUCATION SYSTEM
The structure of education in Jamaican has gone through several stages of development over the years. The former education system was established in an agrarian society, intended to maintain and reinforce a social structure characterised by a small white elite and a largely black labouring class, however it has now evolved into an Industrial and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Age. This has contributed to shaping a system which is dynamic in nature, preparing students who are literate and numerate, realise and explore their full potential, whilst responding to national and global demands.
The Education Act of 1965 further regulated the system “….to meet the needs for greater self-financing capability, a better definition of Jamaica’s educational goals and the expansion of the system to meet both individual and national needs" Thus, four educational levels were defined: Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Further development in the system saw it evolving not only in terms of its structure but also in terms of its management and performance.

Early Childhood Level
Early Childhood education is offered in public and private institutions to children between the ages of 3-5 years of age. In the public sector, Early Childhood education is provided in Infant Schools and Infant departments of some Primary level schools. Nursery and Kindergarten departments of Independent Preparatory (private primary) schools also accept students at age 3. Independent/Private schools are largely confined to the main urban centres. In addition, there are a number of community operated Basic schools. These cater to the largest number of students at the Early Childhood level. Basic schools which meet certain minimum requirements are eligible for government subsidies and are called Recognised Basic Schools. Students at the Early Childhood level sit the Grade One Individual Learning Profile (GOILP) to ascertain their capabilities and mastery of the skills and concepts taught at the Early Childhood level, so that strategies can be developed to advance their learning.
The Early Childhood Commission, an agency of the MoE, is now solely responsible for the regulation and supervision of Basic Schools and the training of Early Childhood practitioners.

Primary Level
Primary education is offered in Grades 1-6 of Primary, Primary and Junior High, and All-Age schools. It is also offered in Grades 1-6 of Preparatory schools. Students are admitted to Primary level educational institutions at age 6. Primary schools are therefore designated feeder schools to all High schools. At the end of Grade 6 students in Primary level schools may sit the Grade Six Achievement Examination (GSAT) in order to gain admission to high schools.
The GSAT replaced the Common Entrance Examination in 1999. It is the assessment instrument that is used by the Ministry of Education to place students in Grade Seven of High Schools. The test is administered annually during March. The GSAT is a part of the National Assessment Programme, which assesses performance of students at the Primary level. Other components of this National Assessment Programme are the Grade One Individual Learning Profile, the Grade Three Diagnostic Test and the Grade Four Literacy Test.
Based on the grades students gain in the test they are placed into High schools or the Secondary department of All Age and Primary and Junior High Schools. At the All Age and Junior High Schools they can continue to Grades 7, 8 or 9, where they are allowed to sit the Technical Entrance Examination (in grade 8) for entry to Technical schools, and the Grade Nine Achievement Test (in Grade 9) to other types of High schools. These will give students another opportunity to gain entrance into the High school they desire to attend.

Secondary Level
The Secondary or High school system consists of two cycles. The first cycle commences in Grades 7-9 of All Age, Primary and Junior High schools, and High schools, including Technical High and Independent/Private High schools.
The second cycle is provided in Grades 10 and 11 of these schools (with the exception of All Age and Primary and Junior High schools) and in the Agricultural, Technical and Vocational schools. At the end of Grade 11 students sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects, administered by the Caribbean Examinations Councils (CXC). Some High schools have a continuing education programme, provided under the Career Advancement Programme and the Sixth Form/Pre-university programme (Grades 12 and 13) where students are prepared for entry to tertiary institutions. Students who are in Sixth Form sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at the end of Grades 12 and 13.

Tertiary Level
Tertiary education is offered in a variety of public and private institutions differing in history, mission, philosophy, and to a lesser extent, in programmes and structure. These institutions possess varying degrees of autonomy. These institutions may be further divided into those which are founded and established in Jamaica, and those that are offshore institutions. The offshore institutions main campuses are located outside of Jamaica, but they offer programmes through their campuses, and departments located in Jamaica. All tertiary institutions were established in response to educational needs at different times and offer not only degrees, but certificates and diplomas. The main accreditation body for tertiary institutions and their programmes is the University Council of Jamaica.

STRUCTURE (MoE Organisational Chart)
The Ministry of Education executes the Government’s mandate of ensuring a system which secures quality education and training for all persons in Jamaica in order to optimize individual and national development. As such, the Ministry of Education is the driving force for change, growth and development in education, providing the legislative framework, policies, strategies, plans, and resources to enable institutions, agencies and other bodies to achieve their agreed mandates.
The Ministry is guided by the Philosophy ‘Every Child Can Learn, Every Child Must Learn’, the Vision, ‘A customer- centred, performance oriented education system producing globally competitive, socially conscious Jamaican citizens’ and a Mission ‘to provide strategic leadership and policy direction for quality education for all Jamaicans to maximize their potential, contribute to national development and compete effectively in the global economy’, as it pursues its developmental goals for the nation .
The Ministry is headed by the Honourable Minister of Education who has the ultimate policy responsibility and authority for the development of education for the Jamaican citizens. Assisting and reporting directly to the Minister is the Permanent Secretary who is the accountable officer, with responsibility for the daily operations of the Ministry in carrying out its mandate. The Permanent Secretary is supported by a Chief Education Officer (CEO) and several Divisional Heads. The Organisational Chart below outlines the structure of the Ministry of Education.

THE EXECUTIVE

The Ministry of Education’s executive consists of: * Honourable Ronald Thwaites, M.P, Minister of Education * Mrs. Grace McLean, Permanent Secretary (Acting) * Mr. Clement Radcliffe, Chief Education Officer (Acting) * Home * About Us * Career Opportunities * Contact Us * Exam Results * Back To School * Partners * Adopt-A-School * Donate Educational Materials * National Education Trust Ltd. * Partnership Initiatives * Protecting Our Schools * Stakeholders * Parents * Students * Teachers * Forms & Manuals * Guidance Counsellor Appraisal * Principal Performance Appraisal * Safety and Security Manuals * School Feeding Weekly Returns *
The Ministry of Education (MoE) is the government entity responsible for the management and administration of public education in Jamaica. The Ministry of Education was first established in 1953, as the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare. Currently, the MoE carries out the Government of Jamaica’s mandate of ensuring a system which secures quality education and training of all citizens of Jamaica in order to optimise individual and national development.
The MoE provides the avenue for enrichment and upward mobility of our people though education. The organisation is one of Jamaica’s largest public entities and is comprised presently of 11 agencies, six Regional Offices, and a central office with approximately 40 units which fall under 5 divisions. These unite to provide the framework for the efficient functioning of over 1,000 public educational institutions that serves over 100,000 students and over 20,000 teachers. The Ministry of Education is also responsible for two public universities and several community, multidisciplinary and teachers’ colleges.
Core Roles and Functions
The Ministry’s role of effectively managing the education system is accomplished through the execution of functions carried out by its divisions and agencies. Among these functions are: * Planning, developing, and implementing educational policies and programmes * Monitoring and evaluating the performance of locally and internationally funded projects and programmes * Maintaining an efficient system of collecting, collating, analyzing and presenting current and accurate data on quantifiable educational indicators to meet local demand and international standards * Developing and supporting programmes, services and activities geared towards personal and national development * Providing guidance in financial management for all educational institutions and affiliated agencies.
Mission Statement
To provide strategic leadership and policy direction for quality education for all Jamaicans to maximize their potential, contribute to national development and compete effectively in the global economy.
Vision Statement
A customer-centred, performance oriented education system producing globally competitive, socially conscious Jamaican citizens.
The National Shared Vision
Each learner will maximize his/her potential in an enriching learner centred education environment with maximum use of learning technologies supported by committed qualified competent effective and professional educators and staff. The education system will equitable and accessible with full attendance to Grade 11.
Accountability, transparency and performance are the hallmarks of system that is excellent, self sustaining, resourced and welcomes full stakeholder participation.
Every Child Can Learn…Every Child Must Learn.