Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Career & Education
BY DENISE DENNIS Career & Education staff reporter dennisd@jamaicaobserver.com  
January 28, 2012

Ministry intervention nears for ‘failing schools’

AS early as next month, the Ministry of Education is to begin its intervention into the four secondary institutions that were labelled as ‘failing schools’ in need of urgent attention by the last minister of education, Andrew Holness.

Marcus Garvey Technical in St Ann, Glengoffe High in St Catherine, Balaclava High in St Elizabeth, and Holy Trinity in Kingston were last September singled out for attention by Holness as a result of their consistently poor academic performance.

The island’s new minister of education, Ronald Thwaites, is now intent on action. Following a tour of Holy Trinity two weeks ago, he said he would be approaching top-performing schools in the Central Kingston area — where he is also the member of Parliament — to establish a collaborative relationship that will boost the institution’s performance.

Speaking with Career & Education last Monday, the minister said he is looking to have a meeting soon with the principals of the surrounding schools, including Kingston College, St George’s College and Alpha Academy.

“Can they collaborate? Can they share facilities — especially extra-curricular facilities, which I consider much more important?” he said.

Thwaites, who said he will be visiting the other three ‘failing schools’ in short order, noted that he intends to approach them with the same plan for collaboration. His rationale for visiting the schools, he said, is that he wants to personally encourage an improvement in their performance while at the same time discussing the inspection reports and working through a comprehensive strategy for their success.

He cautioned, however, that some of the things that need to be done to get the schools up to par would take time to implement.

“For example, what I found at Holy Trinity is that a large part of their problem has to do with the inadequate preparation of the students who are sent there; the majority of their grade seven students are coming in with very low GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) scores,” he noted.

Thwaites said this poses a challenge as the teachers are constrained to follow the high school curriculum for which these students are not yet ready.

“Additionally, many of the students have severe social and economic difficulties so we have to look at issues of nutrition, issues of improved counselling, which will enable them to better cope with education at a high school level. So we have to set in motion a programme of discernment in each school,” the minister said.

Thwaites noted that he is also trying to collaborate with private sector companies located near the schools for their skills and resources.

“Not just money, but money too, to assist with the educational uplift,” he said. “I think it’s an organic way to do it because after all, for those companies, their customers, their staff and community is related to what happens at that school.”

Thwaites noted that he has also had volunteer interest from retired teachers who he considers a good resource.

Meanwhile, he revealed that Holy Trinity has been promised an improved library, which should be available by the beginning of the next school year and he is seeking a place in the upcoming budget for infrastructure upgrading which they requested.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Rihanna’s home hit by gunfire, woman arrested
International News, Latest News
Rihanna’s home hit by gunfire, woman arrested
March 8, 2026
A woman has been arrested after firing a gun towards pop superstar Rihanna's Los Angeles mansion while the singer was inside, according to internation...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Mother of six mourns last son’s controversial killing, allegedly by police
Latest News, News
Mother of six mourns last son’s controversial killing, allegedly by police
March 8, 2026
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — After losing her older son to violence few years ago, mother of six Janice Pillner is now struggling to come to terms with the...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
G2K chides Golding for ‘silence’ on Silvera conviction, calls for PNP president to expel former MP
Latest News, News
G2K chides Golding for ‘silence’ on Silvera conviction, calls for PNP president to expel former MP
March 8, 2026
Generation 2000 (G2K) is criticising Mark Golding over what it says is the People’s National Party (PNP) president’s silence on former party represent...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Lawrence Tavern councillor displeased with roadworks by NWA
Latest News, News
WATCH: Lawrence Tavern councillor displeased with roadworks by NWA
March 8, 2026
ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Lawrence Tavern Councillor John Myers has accused the National Works Agency (NWA) of inadequate repair work on main roads in the ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Man arrested in Salt Spring murder probe while attempting to board flight
Latest News, News
Man arrested in Salt Spring murder probe while attempting to board flight
March 8, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica – A   30-year-old man has been charged with murder in relation to a stabbing incident along the Salt Spring main road in St James la...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Sanmerna helps women relieve stress on International Women’s Day
Latest News, News
Sanmerna helps women relieve stress on International Women’s Day
March 8, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — On the eve of International Women’s Day on Saturday, the Sanmerna Foundation celebrated with a number of women at the Peace Garden...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Tuffheart returns from promo run in Panama, gearing up for local performance
Entertainment, Latest News
Tuffheart returns from promo run in Panama, gearing up for local performance
BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Writer 
March 8, 2026
Performing at the recent Bob Marley 81st birthday celebration at Panama City in Panama a few weeks ago, was a great experience for emerging reggae art...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
With increasing number of high-rises, McKenzie assures that fire hydrants are working
Latest News, News
With increasing number of high-rises, McKenzie assures that fire hydrants are working
March 8, 2026
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has sought to assure that fire hydrants are being installed and repaired around the country to take account...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct