ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, will be introducing a new early-stimulation programme, which will prepare children for learning while they are still in the womb.

“We are priding ourselves on a structured programme from pregnancy to age 29,” said Portfolio Minister, Senator Ruel Reid.

“We will network through our other ministries…to ensure we work together to reach every pregnant mother, every newborn…to ensure that the children are nurtured, stimulated, prepared for learning in the formal education system,” he informed.

Senator Reid was speaking at a back-to-school meeting of principals of schools in the Ministry’s Region 4 held at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in St James on Tuesday.

He said the programme is part of the process to transform the education sector.

He noted that as part of the transformation, every new principal must receive training and certification from the National College of Education Leadership (NCEL) in order to be confirmed in the position.

Similar preparation will be required for vice principals and senior teachers.

“We will have to have all the leadership of our schools properly trained and prepared for leadership. These are some of the ingredients and variables that will impact in a very positive way our school performance, the building of better schools and building better communities,” he pointed out.

Turning to other matters, the Education Minister informed that the Career Advancement Programme, (CAP) that is currently in 53 schools will be extended to 110 institutions come September.

In addition, a National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) will be rolled out shortly to cater to youth who are not engaged in full-time learning.