Education transformation reaches 43 percent in year-four progress report

KINGSTON — Jamaica’s Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) says the Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) programme has reached 43 percent overall implementation at the end of year four, quarter one — a four-percentage-point rise from 37 percent at the last quarterly briefing.

ETOC chairman Dr. Adrienne Stokes told the July 23, 2026 press conference that all 207 initiatives under review remain on track, with the strongest movement in governance, teaching and learning, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Officials aim for 53 percent by March 2027, about 60 to 65 percent by fiscal year 2027/28, and full delivery by fiscal year 2030/31.

Project lead Dr. Venise Morrison-Leon outlined pillar scores: governance and accountability 55 percent; early childhood 47 percent; teaching, curriculum and teacher training 26 percent; tertiary 67 percent; TVET 50 percent; technology and infrastructure 38 percent; and finance 21 percent. Thirteen recommendations were completed in the quarter.

On governance, the Ministry of Education reported that 90 percent of new school-board directors appointed over the past 24 months match schools’ strategic needs. Sixty-three fresh board applications brought the total to 177. A one-year pilot to pay independent directors under government public-board fee standards will begin in September at National School Learning and Intervention Plan (NSLIP) schools. Consultation on the Jamaica Teaching Council bill has finished, with tabling in Parliament next.

After Hurricane Melissa, about $3.86 billion has been invested to rebuild schools more resiliently. Thirty-two infrastructure projects are complete and 214 are underway, with severely damaged Priority One campuses — including Manning’s High — targeted for September reopening where possible. Wi-Fi now covers 82 percent of public schools and places of safety, with broadband at 74 percent. Operational disbursements total $6.1 billion, and operational grants are up 19.3 percent on average.

Stokes said Primary Exit Profile (PEP) proficiency in mathematics and English rose year on year, and mastery improved when the cohort was tracked from grade four. He warned, however, that girls still outperform boys by a wide margin — a gap flagged in the Patterson Report and UNICEF’s 2022 review — and that gender-specific solutions are still needed. Minister of State Rhoda Moy Crawford said a ministry committee on boys’ education is being formed; Permanent Secretary Dr. Cassan Troop pointed to classroom practice, socialisation and school models such as St. Catherine High that regroup boys for learning. Crawford noted seven of the top 10 recent PEP performers were boys, and that storm-hit Regions 3, 4 and 5 showed no PEP decline.

National Education Trust executive director Latoya Harris-Garrity said donors and private partners can support rebuilds under NET standards with assigned project managers. The full TREND quarterly report is available on the programme’s website.