KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Education and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) have moved to formalise an alliance to share talent, provide incentives and innovation, and build awareness, under the ministry’s Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) programme.

The partnership was solidified during a second round of stakeholder discussions on Tuesday and will see the PSOJ assist the ministry by leveraging private sector expertise to support student development, school leadership and teacher readiness via the Trend Ambassador Volunteer Portal.

The private sector is also to help provide incentives through reward mechanisms and targeted support for schools and educators.

Another pillar — innovation — will see the PSOJ help modernise teaching and learning by embracing education technology (EdTech), Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programming, and building innovation labs in schools.

Finally, the entities will jointly build public support and understanding of the TREND agenda through joint campaigns.

Minister Dana Morris Dixon highlighted the significance of the collaboration, emphasising the value of private sector engagement in achieving national education goals.

“Right now, TREND still feels like something the education enterprise is doing alone. I want it to become a national effort. If you know of experts who can help a school struggling with math or want to pilot new ideas — join us. This is a call to action.”

“Transformation cannot be done in silos. Partnership is necessary,” said Morris Dixon. “I’m excited about the work ahead. I want to hear your voice in areas such as workforce readiness — what issues you’re seeing, and how we can align our strategies within the ministry to address them.”