KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Education Trust (NET) says Access Financial Services’ (AFS) recent $3.2 million investment in the Ministry of Education’s literacy initiative exemplifies the importance of collaboration in education and the unified commitment needed to provide our children with the quality education they deserve.

The initiative, spearheaded by the NET, will see 165 primary schools across Manchester and St Elizabeth boosted with critical literacy resources, directly supporting the Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) initiative.

The official handover ceremony took place on Friday at the ministry’s head office in Kingston.

NET, the government’s primary vehicle for mobilising resources for educational development, noted it was instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of this initiative. By engaging key stakeholders and streamlining the process, NET said it enabled the effective distribution of learning materials, reinforcing its commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that enhance education in Jamaica.

Speaking at the official handover, Director of the Donor & Partnership Unit of NET, Keisha Johnson, underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing national education goals.

“This initiative exemplifies the power of partnership in education. Access Financial Services has demonstrated a profound commitment to the future of Jamaica by investing in early literacy. They are an essential part of our ‘invested village’ — the collective effort required to ensure our children receive the quality education they deserve,” Johnson said.

The event also featured remarks from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Edcuation, Dr Kasan Troupe, who commended the initiative’s alignment with the ministry’s vision for improved educational outcomes. Chief Executive Officer of Access Financial Services, Hugh Campbell, who was also in attendance, reiterated AFS’s dedication to community development, noting that literacy is a fundamental pillar of national progress.

NET said it remains committed to building strong partnerships that drive meaningful change in the education sector, ensuring that students across Jamaica have access to the tools they need for success.