ALLIGATOR POND, Manchester — Government Minister Floyd Green has defended the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Administration’s handling of the education sector and the stewardship of portfolio minister Fayval Williams.

“I haffi seh boy, God nuh mek nuh mistake because when COVID come we had steady hands leading this country. Remember the entire education system was turned upside down but Minister [Fayval] Williams she never shift, she never falter — she put her head to the wheel,” Green said while addressing the JLP’s Alligator Pond divisional conference on Sunday.

His comment follows calls by the Opposition for a shake-up of the education ministry and suggestions that energy and creativity at the policy level is needed in its leadership.

“Every time I hear them talk about education it hurts my heart because, to be honest, they had an opportunity to do what needed to be done in education, but they never did it,” stated Green who served as minister of state in the education ministry during the JLP’s 2016 to 2020 term.

He said the Andrew Holness-led Administration has improved the education sector compared to the People’s National Party’s tenure.

“When we went to the Ministry of Education in our secondary schools, the Government that was there before was paying $11,500 per student to run the schools. Remember, they were Government from 2012 to 2016 — four years under the $11,500 and they never changed it — and we come in and within one year of the Labour Party we move from $11,500 to $19,000. Now, isn’t that leadership? asked Green.

“When we came in they [former PNP Administration] were paying $800 per student in the primary school… The Labour Party moved that from $800 per student to $2,500 per student. Isn’t that Government, isn’t that leadership?” asked Green.

He added that Prime Minister Andrew Holness laid the foundation for improvement in early childhood education when he formed the early childhood commission.

He claimed that the PNP paid no attention to the certification of early childhood institutions.

“During the PNP [Adminstration’s time] you know how much institutions… in their four years they certified, guess and tell me… They certified zero! Not even one. You know how much the Labour party certified? [A total of] 288 early childhood institutions have been certified under this Labour Party Government,” said Green.

He pointed to investments in upgrading and expanding the New Forest Primary and Infant School.

“Remember when we come people just a talk about New Forest like a wan likkle school. Now, New Forest is a high school serving your children because the Labour Party has the vision,” said Green.

The St Elizabeth South Western Member of Parliament said the Government has invested heavily in education, including support to students on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

“Over 40,000 children in primary school on the PATH programme now have a tablet because of the Jamaica Labour Party Government. Over 25,000 high school students between seven and ten grade have a tablet because of the Labour Party Government… 14,000 ten- to 13-grade students have a laptop because of this Labour Party Government. We spend $600 million giving $20,000 grants to over 30,000 Jamaicans fi buy yuh own device,” said Green.

“This Labour party Government will never, ever leave out our teachers. We respect our teachers. We appreciate our teachers. And we will do all in our power to ensure that our teachers have better working conditions… We have given over 26,000 tablets to our teachers,” he added.

“This Labour Party Government takes a long-term vision. The Labour Party Government prioritises education. The Labour Party Government will ensure that your children have a better way of life,” said Green.