Construction of first STEAM Academy to commence in fiscal year 2025/26
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Construction of Jamaica’s first Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) academy will begin in fiscal year 2025/26.
A Jamaica 60 legacy project, the institution will be erected on the 22 acres of land reserved for social services at the Greater Bernard Lodge Development in St Catherine.
The works will be done under Phase II of the Education System Transformation Programme, which has been allocated approximately $689 million in the 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.
During the upcoming year, the Government will also be looking to finalise and seek approval for the STEAM Education Policy, commence and complete standards and guidelines for the management and operations of dormitory facilities and develop an information and communications technology (ICT) strategy and requirement plan.
The Education System Transformation Programme’s main objective is to advance the education sector’s modernisation and build on initiatives already executed.
These include improving the management of school plants, human and capital resources and student outcomes by 2025/26, and improving school efficiency and administration by establishing a management framework.
The programme is also intended to increase student access to quality secondary-school places through the construction of six new STEAM academies and one Visual and Performing Arts secondary-level institution by 2028/29.
Among the achievements, up to December 2024, are the development of a governance and management framework document for the operation of STEAM schools; a draft STEAM Education Policy concept document and draft building Standards for early-childhood, primary and secondary schools for which stakeholder consultations are ongoing, and land acquisition for one of three sites identified.
The project is being implemented by the National Education Trust (NET) and funded by the Government of Jamaica.
It commenced in April 2022 and has a March 2030 completion date.
The 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure was tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams, on February 13.
– JIS
