Ministry of Education & Youth

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A world of possibilities unfolded for 18-year-old Jacinth Richards, when she enrolled at José Marti Technical High School, which is located on the outskirts of Spanish Town.

After spending three years in a traditional high school, Jacinth left her older siblings behind, to venture into the world of technical/vocational studies at José Marti.

"It was a good experience," she tells JIS News, and even though her siblings graduated ahead of her from the traditional high school, she says she did not regret the decision to switch institutions.

While at José Marti, she excelled in her studies, copping awards for outstanding performance in various subjects including home economics, food and nutrition, clothing and textile and social studies.

Not only was her academic performance impressive, but she also distinguished herself as a leader and an exemplary all round-student, serving as second deputy head girl while in grade 10 and head girl in her final year.

Prior to attending José Marti, Jacinth had passing fancies of becoming a paediatrician, veterinarian or a nutritionist. However, it was when she gained the practical exposure in food and nutrition afforded by the technical high school, that she discovered that nutrition is truly her passion, and the career path she now desires to pursue.

Today, Jacinth celebrates success in seven Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects with credits in home economics management, food and nutrition, clothing and textile and english language. She tells JIS News that her focus now is to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Technology.

While most students clamour to get into the traditional high schools, Jacinth says that at the technical schools, "you are getting a technical base, and so you will be able to function in more than one area."

Additionally, she expresses her appreciation for the commitment and efficiency of her teachers in ensuring that students master the various subject areas.
Director of the Technical High Schools Development Project (THSDP) at the HEART Trust/NTA, Loveda Jones, says that "over the years, the technical high schools have been doing an excellent job. They have been producing competent persons for various fields in our country, as well as overseas".

And still, thousands more students will reap similar benefits as work is being done to enhance all 14 technical high schools in the island under the THSDP.
Mrs. Jones tells JIS News that over the last 10 years, the HEART/NTA has been investing in upgrading and equipping the technical high schools. One of the main features of the project is the thrust to upgrade laboratories and workshops by providing them with modern equipment, and machinery.

"In all our technical high schools, currently, each one has at least one well equipped computer lab," she says. At the start of the project, only a few schools had computer labs, many with outdated computers, while some were just beginning to put in computer labs.

With fully functional and modernised computer labs provided, the schools are empowered to deliver their mandate of ensuring that every child on leaving a technical high school at grade 11, is equipped with at least basic computer literacy.

"We have also, through this project, helped to upgrade other laboratories, machine shops, woodwork, electrical installation, electronics, food, and needlework facilities, putting in modern equipment, and repairing and servicing some that were there," Mrs. Jones points out.

Additionally, HEART/NTA has begun to introduce a Management Information System (MIS) in the island's 14 technical high schools on a phased basis. This will facilitate the computerisation of student and staff records, payroll, inventory, as well as book rental. Systems have already been set up in five schools and another five are to come on stream.

Another essential element of the modernisation effort is building the capacity of the principals and teachers in the technical high schools. The project emphasises a structured approach to school management, which means that school administrators are encouraged to critically assess the overall state of the school and prepare a school development plan, to chart progress.

To this end, Mrs. Jones indicates, "we have had.specialists conduct training for our teachers, principals and vice principals and different groups of teachers on using a particular approach to school management". All the schools have had training in the approach, which is translated into the development of three-year development plans, in which targets are set and strategies outlined to achieve them.

Mrs. Jones discloses that the THSDP also emphasises and facilitates the professional development of teachers by convening workshops through the school year and during holidays.

In terms of imperatives for the 2006/07 school year, she tells JIS News that priority attention will be placed on reading improvement. The project has catered to the training of teachers in administering a reading diagnostic test to all new students, as a high number of them enter the schools reading below the expected levels.

"All the teachers have been trained in strategies that they can utilize to improve reading as they teach the various content areas," she says.
Students can also expect an expansion of the vocational programmes to include more National Council on Technical Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) courses, while maintaining the CSEC subject offerings. "We want them all to graduate with their occupational certification in one hand and their academic in another, Mrs. Jones explains.

Technical high schools were introduced in Jamaica as they provide an opportunity for students to obtain a high school education with a focus on academic as well as occupational education, Mrs. Jones points out.

The upgrading and modernisation of these technical high schools will optimize the quality of training that students will receive, and improve their level of preparedness to join today's technological workforce.

Meanwhile, technical high school students are encouraged to relish the experience. "We are well taught and we are leaving well-rounded," Jacinth assures.

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