THE Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) says it is seeking to expand its network of partner education institutions thereby extending its reach in more communities.

This forms part of a series of initiatives announced by the agency aimed at building its capacity to fulfil its mandate of promoting lifelong learning through adult and youth education.

Executive Director of the JFLL Worrel Hibbert named schools, teacher’s colleges, vocational training institutions, churches, community centres, civic groups and private sector organisations as some of the entities with which it is looking to forge greater partnerships.

Hibbert added that the JFLL is in dialogue with the Ministry of Education to explore ways in which the recently closed schools in the formal education system can be repurposed for use as adult education centres.

Last month Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites, announced 18 schools which will be permanently closed as of the upcoming school year.

“The JFLL is [also] in dialogue with the Ministry of Education to explore how underutilised teachers…can be deployed to the JFLL to strengthen and increase our ranks to deliver the HSDE [High School Diploma Equivalency],” Hibbert said.

He noted that the agency is currently engaged in a series of facilitator training sessions to ensure impactful delivery of the HSDE curriculum. The sessions, to be completed by the end of August include instructional methods in the teaching of adults.

Hibbert said the JFLL is in a retooling programme to ensure that its centres are suitably equipped and appointed to provide appropriate learning spaces.

“We have refurbished all of our parish offices to provide an atmosphere conducive to adult learning. This includes improvement to our IT facilities and computer labs, a soon-to-be-deployed online digital platform and the implementation of a School Management System,” he added.

The JFLL is the lead agency of the Government in coordinating with local and international partners in the national drive to accomplish the Vision 2030 goals, as well as UNESCO’s goal of Education for All and The Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI).

It offers programmes of study ranging from basic literacy and numeracy to the level of the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) in mathematics, English and other disciplines.