THE Ministry of Education (MOEY) is to push for better cooperation between parents and teachers this year in an effort to improve the performance of the nation’s schools.

Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams made the disclosure on Sunday in her message to mark today’s start of the Easter school term

“Our emphasis, this term as well and going forward, will also be on parent-teacher cooperation as we seek the complete and harmonious development of our students’ character so that we begin to see more of the desirable behaviour, less fighting among our students, healthy habits and positive attitudes in personal and social life,” said Williams.

“The Ministry of Education and Youth will continue to strive to ensure that all schools focus on educational equity and find ways to partner, support and create opportunities that make our educational institutions into facilities where all children will enjoy learning, playing, developing strong relationships, whilst continuing to grow each day socially, emotionally, and academically,” added Williams who reiterated that starting this term civics will be taught in all of schools not just in the 95 that currently do so.

“We are aware of the various social issues and the need for an intentional and intensive focus on students’ development of civic virtues. We understand the need to encourage national pride in our children from an early age.

“Civics in schools will serve as a foundational pillar for students to develop those critical soft skills and become the Jamaicans we want them to be,” said Williams in the address dubbed “ReConnected, ReNewed and ReCommitted! MOEY Re-Charged for 2023 And Beyond”.

Civics, which encourages good citizenship, greater respect for cultural integrity, nation-building, among other things, was recently reintroduced to the National Standards Curriculum at all levels.

Williams also announced that her ministry has been moving forward with the implementation of the education transformation initiatives.

“We are committed to continuing engaging in dialogue with our school communities, our key stakeholders, and the wider public through a variety of communication channels to get support for the continuing transformation of the education sector. The focus has been and will continue to be on implementing the recommendations of the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission.

“Let me acknowledge the work of the various stakeholders at all levels of the education sector: our school boards, our principals, our teachers, the administrative staff in our schools, and of course those at the central ministry and in the regions. It is your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education that will lead to the transformation in the sector,” said Williams.