Ministry of Justice

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Senator Donna Scott-Mottley has lauded the Ministry of Education's thrust to upgrade the island's basic schools, through increased emphasis on early childhood curricula and teacher qualification.

"This initiative will prove to be one of the most rewarding investments that we will have made in terms of our human resource development," she said.

Senator Scott-Mottley, who was making her contribution in the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate today (June 30), said it was vital that a comprehensive strategy of early childhood education be implemented for all children throughout Jamaica.

Highlighting key achievements in the Ministry's focus on early childhood education, she pointed out that the Government has made the largest allocation ever to early childhood education in the sum of $1.7 billion. She also said that some 100 basic schools would be repaired at a cost of $1.2 billion.

Stressing the need for development of the country's human resources, the Senator emphasised that, "it is well known that a well educated population produces an enlightened, vibrant, resourceful and motivated population. Such a population can drive a country's prosperity".

On the matter of youth development, Senator Scott-Mottley said it was imperative that employment opportunities for young people be prioritised and that "the sectors which hold out most promise for job creative for young Jamaicans are tourism, the service industries and medium and small enterprises".

She stated that 2,000 more participants would be accepted into the National Youth Programme this year, moving from 3,000 to 5,000, and with an increased budgetary support of some 400 per cent this fiscal year.

"This will allow for the training of young people and their placement in jobs, receiving on-the-job training for a period of six months," the Senator pointed out.

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