In a bid to improve the literacy outcomes for Jamaican students, all 189 primary schools and 56 secondary institutions are to be targeted for reading intervention, as of this September.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon made the pledge in a ministerial statement in the Senate on Friday, saying: “We believe that the ability to read and comprehend is critical to all other learning. If a child cannot read, their chances of thriving across the curriculum will be significantly reduced.

“That is why we are pursuing a comprehensive approach to improve literacy outcomes, beginning at the foundational level and continuing through secondary education.”

Morris Dixon recalled that earlier this year, the education ministry launched a “tactical pilot” aimed at boosting student performance in CSEC English and mathematics.

“While both subjects are critical, literacy – specifically the ability to comprehend written material – is at the heart of success in every subject. This pilot focuses on three core pillars; enhanced teaching quality, extended learning time, and strategic accountability,” she stated.

She told the Upper House that the strategy targets 56 secondary schools, using data, professional development, and student engagement to drive meaningful improvement.

“As part of this effort, I have given a clear directive that every teacher, regardless of subject area, must also see themselves as a teacher of reading. Literacy cannot be confined to English class alone. It must be embedded across all teaching and learning experiences,” she disclosed.

Morris Dixon reiterated that beginning in September 2025, reading will be formally timetabled for Grades 1 through 3 in all primary schools.

“This is a critical intervention designed to ensure that no child leaves primary school unable to read. To support this, we are prioritising our 189 primary and 56 secondary NSLIP (National School Learning and Intervention Plan) schools, ensuring students receive the dedicated hours of reading instruction they need during the school day,” said Morris Dixon.

She noted that it was an all-hands-on-deck approach.

“What I value most about this work is that accountability is built into every aspect and layer. There are regular quality assurance visits, monthly performance tracking, and clear expectations for the students and the leadership at the school level. Principals, board chairmen, and our teachers are central to this effort. They are responsible for ensuring instructional support and fostering a school culture where literacy performance is a shared responsibility.

“We are also advanced in developing a comprehensive AI assistive tool — the Jamaica Learning Assistant — which will give our students access to further resources to improve their literacy skills outside of the traditional teaching environment. This is how we build a strong foundation. This is how we break the cycle of underperformance. And this is how we set our children on a path to lifelong learning and success,” Morris Dixon said.