KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant educational advancement, approximately 200 students from Westmoreland and St James have markedly enhanced their proficiency in Mathematics, English Language, and STEM disciplines through specialized capacity-building workshops. The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information orchestrated this comprehensive development program at Maud McLeod High School on February 19 as part of a strategic regional effort to elevate academic performance and examination preparedness.
The initiative represents a proactive response to recent disruptions in educational continuity, focusing particularly on rebuilding student confidence through immersive learning experiences. Grade six participants engaged in innovative robotics activities and introductory Food and Nutrition sessions, while interactive review games reinforced fundamental concepts in Mathematics and English Language.
Senior students from multiple high schools, including Maud McLeod High, Grange Hill High, and Maldon High, benefited from targeted academic sessions and a career forum showcasing emerging professional opportunities. Concurrently, educators participated in specialized workshops focused on enhancing numeracy and literacy outcomes, alongside strategies for integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) methodologies into classroom instruction.
Dr. Michele Pinnock, Region Four Regional Director, reported exceptional engagement levels throughout the event, noting that practicing teachers facilitated sessions that brought learning concepts to life. The program featured STEAM project exhibitions and ‘Try a Skill’ sessions designed to foster independent learning capabilities and increase student motivation.
A highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of the Maud McLeod High School Resource Hub, established through a collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Education, Liberty Caribbean Foundation, and Flow Foundation. This facility will serve 11 schools in eastern Westmoreland, providing shared technological resources, STEM kits, printed instructional materials, and specialized learning environments to institutions facing infrastructural limitations.