Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites said all is set for today’s start of the new school year as adequate furniture and equipment are in place to allow for the smooth opening of the educational institutions.

 All schools, he said, have received funds to carry out emergency repairs and although some work may continue beyond the start of the year, Thwaites said they are not expected to interrupt normal school operations.

“We invite school administrators, parents and members of the public to call the ministry’s regional offices to lodge queries or reports concerning the proper functioning of the education system,” he said.

Meanwhile, the education minister said some 80 maths coach and specialists are to be deployed to 150 primary and secondary schools as part of improving the teaching skills of teachers in this subject area.

Thwaites who made the announcement yesterday in his annual back-to-school message said principals and department heads have already been trained to lead the mathematics revolution in Jamaica, and the ministry is depending on them to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative in accordance with the National Mathematics Policy.

“Why this focus on mathematics? We have to count on maths for our economic success, as mastery of the subject is a predictor of a country’s ability to take advantage of economic opportunities in the 21st century,” he said.

He noted also that during the new school year the country will achieve the target of grade-four students attaining mastery in literacy.

According to Thwaites, there is adequate space to accommodate all the students who will enter schools at the early childhood, primary and secondary levels starting today.

The Mount St Joseph Catholic High School in Mandeville will open its doors as a grant-aided institution with approximately 180 grade-seven students and a smaller number of sixth formers.

In addition, 16 schools -three high and 13 primary and junior high – will be taken off the shift system to allow for a more effective delivery of the curriculum and efficient administration of the institutions.

The new school year, he said, also brings expanded educational opportunities for students and parents in West St Thomas, where the ministry has brought together Paul Bogle, Robert Lightbourne and Seaforth high under common management.

“The aim is to efficiently utilise human and physical resources in order to improve student achievement. We are going to do the same in other places to better utilise teachers and school plant,” Thwaites said.

Meanwhile Government, he said will be providing breakfast and lunch free or at little cost to about 200,000 students in the early childhood cohort.

Regarding the impact of drought on schools, Thwaites said the ministry has collaborated with the ministries of water, land, environment and climate change as well as local government to make sure that at least some water is available to every school.

“Parents should try to provide drinking water and communities must not use school water, but, instead, help to supply schools where necessary,” he pointed out.

As for textbooks, Thwaites reiterated that primary and high schools have been provided with adequate supplies based on the needs of the curriculum.