CORAL SPRING, Trelawny — Despite pointing to a raft of initiatives the Government has planned to leverage technology, Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Dixon on Tuesday reassured educators that they are still very much needed in the classroom.

“We believe technology is an accelerator of teaching but, importantly, the teacher remains central to the classroom experience, and that’s important… Technology can’t replace that teacher. The technology can just assist, can enable the teacher in the classroom, but the centrality of it is about the teacher,” she remarked.

Dixon was speaking during the first day of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Education Conference being held at Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Trelawny. The primary focus of the event is exploring how education is being shaped by technological innovation.

“Technology enables more inclusive, efficient and effective learning. It allows us to personalise education, expand access and reduce inequalities. It gives every child, regardless of background, the chance to explore, to build and to thrive,” the education minister declared.

There has been concern over the use of artificial intelligence and whether its increasing popularity may reduce the need for educators. But while she reminded JTA members that the ministry is testing how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in marking test papers, Dixon stressed that this should be viewed within the context of how this can make teachers’ tasks lighter. The move to have AI engaged in grading was first announced earlier this month.

“We are testing AI tools in school to support teachers with marking and administrative tasks. I remember when I was a teacher, I hated to mark; it was the worst part. Setting the test was alright, teaching was alright, but marking the papers was not fun. And so, we have AI technology that we’re testing in schools now to have the AI mark the papers so that the teachers can spend more time doing what is really important, which is interacting with our students,” the minister explained.

“This is freeing up valuable time so teachers can focus on what [are] the important things,” Dixon insisted.

She also referenced other previously announced plans in place to leverage technology in the classroom.

“We’re also preparing to launch the Jamaica Learning Assistant (JLA), an AI-powered tool that tailors learning to students’ individual styles. So, whether they prefer stories, humour, quizzes or dialogue, AI will help us meet learners where they are and lift them higher, but this is just a support to the teacher,” she reiterated.

The JLA was first mentioned by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness during his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 20.

Dixon also reminded educators of other plans and urged them to position themselves so they can be part of the new approach to education.

“Later this year, we will open Jamaica’s first state-of-the-art AI lab, and this is going to be really important. I think the JTA should partner with us in relation to how our teachers can use that lab and be even more integrated into our AI thrust in this country,” she urged.

She first spoke of the AI lab in November 2024 during the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) Parenting and AI Forum at Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library.

“This lab will be a space where Jamaican youth and others can create their own technology solutions. I would love to see the lab used to help our teachers to create new programmes that can be used in our schools with our students. We’re not just preparing for the future, we are creating it,” Dixon declared during Tuesday’s conference.