Carib Scope

分类： education

  • Digicel Foundation donates US$80,000 smart lab to Church Teachers’ College

    Digicel Foundation donates US$80,000 smart lab to Church Teachers’ College

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to revolutionize teacher preparation, the Digicel Foundation has inaugurated an advanced US$80,000 Smart Laboratory at Church Teachers’ College in Mandeville. This initiative marks a pivotal step in accelerating digital transformation within Jamaica’s educational framework, directly addressing the need for technologically proficient educators.

    The official unveiling ceremony on Tuesday featured prominent education stakeholders who emphasized the strategic importance of the investment. Dr. Tamika Benjamin, Assistant Chief Education Officer for the Tertiary Unit at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, characterized the project as a visionary commitment to national human capital development.

    “This initiative transcends the establishment of a physical facility; it embodies a deliberate investment in Jamaica’s educational future,” Dr. Benjamin declared. “By focusing on teacher education, we are fundamentally investing in our students and enabling the comprehensive modernization of pedagogy to align with global digital advancements.”

    Dr. Benjamin further elaborated that sustainable educational reform is intrinsically linked to high-quality teacher preparation. She commended the Digicel Foundation for expanding its Smart Lab program—previously implemented in primary and secondary schools—into the tertiary teacher-training sector, calling it a demonstration of exceptional foresight.

    “Educators constitute the most critical school-based determinant of student success,” she asserted. “Consequently, the overall caliber of our education system is ultimately bounded by the quality of the teachers we train.”

    She charged teacher-training institutions with the national mandate to produce graduates who are not only pedagogically skilled and knowledgeable in their subject areas but also digitally literate, innovative, and adaptable to the needs of 21st-century learners.

    Charmaine Daniels, Chief Executive Officer of the Digicel Foundation, outlined that the new lab is a key component of a broader national strategy designed to enhance digital access and foster technological confidence among the teaching community.

    Reflecting on the resilience of Jamaican educators, Daniels shared observations from the foundation’s weekly community and school visits following Hurricane Melissa. She praised teachers for their unwavering dedication amidst challenging circumstances.

    “Despite damaged classrooms and personal hardships, educators consistently prioritized their students’ learning and Jamaica’s collective future,” Daniels stated, underscoring the rationale behind investing in those who shape the nation’s youth.

    — Adapted from JIS reporting

  • France : Master’s 2 Scholarship (2026-2027) – Call for Applications

    France : Master’s 2 Scholarship (2026-2027) – Call for Applications

    A significant educational partnership between the French government, Bank of the Republic of Haiti, and Unibank Foundation has officially launched its Master’s scholarship program for Haitian students seeking advanced studies in France during the 2026-2027 academic year.

    The comprehensive scholarship initiative targets high-achieving Haitian scholars under 35 years of age who demonstrate academic excellence and seek to pursue Master’s level studies (M2) within France’s public university system. The program specifically focuses on four critical academic disciplines: Economics/Finance/Governance, Science & Technology (including Artificial Intelligence), Engineering Sciences, and Health studies (excluding clinical specialization).

    Prospective applicants must navigate a dual application process, requiring both scholarship application and formal admission through the exclusive ‘Etudes en France’ platform. The program explicitly excludes applications processed through alternative channels such as MonMaster.gouv.fr or E-Candidat systems. Eligibility mandates Haitian citizenship, residency in Haiti, and possession of a BAC+4 equivalent degree in the relevant field.

    Selected recipients will receive comprehensive support including monthly stipends, full tuition coverage, pre-paid airline tickets, and visa facilitation through the French Embassy. Campus France will provide ongoing assistance with institutional coordination and arrival logistics.

    The application window remains open until May 29, 2026, with a rigorous selection timeline involving document review, committee shortlisting, and oral interviews throughout June. Final selections will be announced during the last week of June, followed by pre-departure orientation sessions in late August.

    Interested candidates can access application materials and institutional directories through provided official links, with additional guidance available through Haiti’s Campus France office and designated embassy contacts.

  • Academic City, American University of Antigua Partner on Medical Education

    Academic City, American University of Antigua Partner on Medical Education

    Academic City University and American University of Antigua (AUA) have established a transformative partnership designed to enhance international academic cooperation and create structured pathways for medical education abroad. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in global healthcare education initiatives.

    The comprehensive agreement guarantees admission into AUA’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program for qualified Academic City graduates who meet specific academic criteria. Successful candidates will benefit from multiple advantages including full application fee waivers, an accelerated admissions process, and elimination of pre-registration seat deposits upon acceptance.

    A substantial financial support component forms a cornerstone of this partnership. Eligible students admitted to AUA’s MD program will qualify for a $5,000 Preferred Programme Grant, disbursed incrementally during the pre-clinical phase. AUA has committed to awarding up to 15 such grants annually across its three academic intake periods.

    Beyond the guaranteed grants, students may additionally qualify for various scholarships and awards, particularly those designed to foster diversity within the medical profession. This multi-layered financial support system substantially reduces barriers to international medical education.

    Dr. Peter Bell, President of AUA, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration: “American University of Antigua eagerly anticipates welcoming students from Academic City University, Ghana. This partnership will equip qualified students with the necessary training to become physicians capable of serving diverse patient populations in global healthcare environments.”

    The initiative aligns with Academic City University’s commitment to providing student-centered education and creating professional healthcare career pathways. This international collaboration addresses both the growing demand for medical education and the need for culturally competent healthcare professionals worldwide.

  • 200 students in Western Jamaica strengthen exam readiness through stem and core subject training

    200 students in Western Jamaica strengthen exam readiness through stem and core subject training

    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.

  • MOE Discusses Temporary Buildings for Caye Caulker Students

    MOE Discusses Temporary Buildings for Caye Caulker Students

    BELIZE – Senior officials from Belize’s Ministry of Education convened with Caye Caulker community leaders this week to address pressing educational infrastructure needs on the island. The high-level meeting, attended by Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez, Caye Caulker Village Council members, and Ocean Academy’s Board of Governors, focused on developing both immediate and long-term solutions for the island’s growing student population.

    The discussions centered on establishing a new pre-primary facility and converting the existing institution into a government-operated high school. With construction projected to require 12-13 months for completion, officials prioritized identifying temporary instructional spaces to ensure educational continuity during the building phase. One prominent proposal involves erecting transitional structures adjacent to the existing Catholic primary school campus.

    Representative Perez characterized the negotiations as “productive and reassuring” for concerned community stakeholders. He confirmed the Ministry team conducted comprehensive site evaluations following previous consultations with parents and educators regarding Ocean Academy’s operational challenges.

    Notably, the dialogue addressed community-driven efforts that had raised approximately $100,000 for temporary facilities. Ministry officials advised against substantial investment in short-term infrastructure, emphasizing practical considerations regarding the transitional nature of any interim solution.

    Perez further clarified the institution’s administrative future, stating: “Whatever is built there eventually becomes what is called the government high school. It’s not going to be Ocean Academy anymore.” This confirms the planned transition from private to public management once governmental investment commences, marking a significant shift in the island’s educational landscape.

  • Government of Grenada — The UWI Economic Cost Bursary Scholarships

    Government of Grenada — The UWI Economic Cost Bursary Scholarships

    The Grenadian government has partnered with the University of the West Indies to launch an ambitious scholarship initiative for citizens pursuing undergraduate education across multiple Caribbean campuses. This Economic Cost Bursary Scholarship program represents a significant investment in national human resource development, offering substantial financial support for tuition expenses at three prestigious regional institutions.

    Eligible Grenadian nationals can receive tuition coverage at varying percentages depending on their chosen campus: 80% support at both the St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Mona Campus in Jamaica, while the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados offers 66% tuition coverage. The program explicitly excludes medical degree programs from scholarship eligibility.

    Prospective applicants must meet specific citizenship requirements and follow a structured application process. Candidates must first secure formal acceptance from their chosen University of the West Indies campus before applying for the scholarship assistance. The application package requires comprehensive documentation including a completed scholarship form, two reference letters, certified copies of birth certificates and academic credentials, an official transcript, campus acceptance letter, passport-sized photograph, and a detailed personal essay outlining career objectives and their potential contribution to Grenada’s development.

    All application materials must be submitted as a complete package to the Human Resource Development Division at Grenada’s Ministry of Education by the June 15, 2026 deadline. The ministry has provided multiple contact channels including telephone numbers (473) 440-2737/2738 or (473) 417-9762 and email address hrd@moe.gd for additional information and assistance with the certification process available through the Examination Unit.

  • Bagga primary school launches book of stories, poems

    Bagga primary school launches book of stories, poems

    The Barrouallie Government School has achieved a significant literary milestone with the official publication of its inaugural student-authored anthology, “Little Pens, Big Dreams: Stories and Poems from the Barrouallie Government School Young Authors.” The book launch ceremony, which served as the cornerstone event initiating the school’s Literacy Week celebrations, highlighted the collective creative achievements of its budding writers.

    Presiding over the event, Minister of Education Phillip Jackson emphasized the profound cognitive benefits of writing. “Writing serves as a powerful tool for mental clarification,” Jackson stated. “The practice enables individuals to process complex thoughts, with increased writing directly correlating to enhanced self-awareness and intellectual clarity.” The Minister extended formal congratulations to the student authors, Principal Joy Davis-Haynes, and the school’s dedicated Literacy Committee.

    Adding scholarly insight, Senior Education Officer Mavis Findlay-Joseph delivered a keynote address focusing on the critical connection between writing and self-editing. She outlined a triple-benefit approach for young authors: “Reading your own work aloud facilitates error detection, strengthens cognitive processing, and validates your unique personal voice.” Findlay-Joseph further emphasized that this practice allows students to visualize their ideas more concretely, refine their linguistic expression, and ultimately build substantial confidence in their abilities.

    The anthology represents a tangible outcome of the Early Learners’ Programme, an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Development Unit to enhance literacy engagement nationwide. Featuring 38 original literary compositions, the collection showcases creative works from students across all primary grade levels, from Grade 1 through Grade 6, demonstrating remarkable depth and variety in young literary talent.

  • Sarteneja’s Only High School Still Homeless After Four Years

    Sarteneja’s Only High School Still Homeless After Four Years

    The remote community of Sarteneja Village faces an escalating educational emergency as its sole high school continues operating without a permanent facility after four years of makeshift arrangements. Sarteneja Baptist High School, serving 84 students, currently functions from a repurposed community center and temporary outdoor structures constructed from donated lumber and zinc sheeting.

    The institution’s severe resource limitations include the absence of fundamental educational facilities—no science laboratory, no computer lab, and inadequate classroom space. With merely four teachers and a principal who simultaneously serves as a full-time instructor, the academic staff operates under extreme pressure to maintain educational standards.

    Darnel Cruz, Secretary of the Sarteneja Village Council and local educator, confirmed that while land has been identified near the airstrip for potential construction, funding remains the primary obstacle to progress. The Village Council has provided the current community center space as a temporary measure, recognizing education as a community priority.

    The situation grows increasingly urgent as the village anticipates a graduating class from primary schools that will exceed the high school’s limited capacity. With the nearest alternative secondary institution located miles away in Chunox Village, Sarteneja Baptist High represents not merely an educational option but a necessity for local families seeking affordable secondary education.

    Parents express deepening concerns about deteriorating infrastructure and resource shortages, while school administration declined official commentary. The community unanimously appeals for governmental intervention and sustainable solutions to secure proper educational facilities for future generations.

  • USA : Internationalization of the UEH

    USA : Internationalization of the UEH

    In a significant stride toward educational advancement, Elms College of Massachusetts and Haiti’s State University (UEH) have formalized a groundbreaking partnership through a memorandum of understanding signed this week. The ceremony, held at Elms College’s Merci Marlène and Jacques Louis Dumay Living-Learning Community and Cultural Center, brought together President Harry Dumay and Rector Dieuseul Prédélus alongside academic leaders, faculty members, and representatives from the Kellogg Program.

    The collaboration establishes an innovative continuing education program specifically designed for the professional development of Haitian educators, with particular focus on the UEH’s École Normale Supérieure (ENS) – Haiti’s historic institution for teacher training. Leveraging Elms College’s specialized expertise through its Division of Education and Center for Equity in Urban Education, the initiative will equip Haitian teachers with contemporary pedagogical approaches tailored to current educational challenges.

    Rector Prédélus characterized the agreement as a “historic moment” that signals the beginning of a strategic collaboration aligned with an ambitious vision: transforming UEH into a modern, competitive institution committed to international academic standards while maintaining deep roots in Haitian realities. He emphasized that “academic excellence cannot be decreed; it is built daily through rigorous work, intellectual openness, and continuous improvement.”

    The partnership represents a complementary alignment of strengths – Elms College contributes its technical expertise in teacher training methodologies, while UEH provides contextual understanding of Haiti’s specific educational needs and challenges. This cooperative model aims to create a multiplier effect where enhanced trainers will subsequently contribute to sustainably elevating Haiti’s entire education system through proven teaching methods and strengthened pedagogical skills.

    This agreement marks a new phase in UEH’s internationalization efforts, initiated under the leadership of its new Executive Council, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to global educational engagement while addressing national development priorities.

  • Cobbs Cross Primary Installs Drip Irrigation System to Strengthen Agricultural Programme

    Cobbs Cross Primary Installs Drip Irrigation System to Strengthen Agricultural Programme

    Cobbs Cross Primary School has embarked on a groundbreaking environmental initiative by implementing an advanced drip irrigation system, fundamentally transforming its agricultural education program. This innovative project, developed through a strategic partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and technology provider GroTech Farms, represents a significant advancement in sustainable farming practices within educational settings.

    The irrigation infrastructure addresses critical challenges in agricultural productivity by utilizing targeted water delivery technology that channels moisture directly to plant root systems. According to IICA National Specialist Craig Thomas, this methodology effectively counteracts problems associated with irregular precipitation patterns and conventional irrigation inefficiencies. The system’s precision hydration approach not only optimizes water utilization but also creates ideal growing conditions for crops, substantially improving yield potential while minimizing resource waste.

    Principal Mae Hypolite, who personally instructs Agricultural Science classes, integrated the installation process into the curriculum as an experiential learning opportunity. Students participated directly in deploying the irrigation network, gaining practical knowledge about water conservation principles and ecological stewardship through hands-on engagement.

    The project included comprehensive technical training provided by agricultural expert Bradbury Browne, ensuring the school’s capacity to maintain and operate the system independently. Early assessments indicate the technology could reduce water consumption by approximately 70 percent compared to traditional irrigation methods. School administrators anticipate this initiative will serve as a foundation for expanded sustainability projects, including rainwater harvesting infrastructure and substantial enlargement of the educational garden space.