IN a bid to develop actionable tactics and strategies aimed at correcting the deficiencies surrounding Jamaica’s early childhood education sector, a regional colloquium is scheduled for November 27-28 at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Regional Headquarters in St Andrew.

The event is being staged by Jamaica National (JN) Foundation in collaboration with the Early Childhood Commission, The UWI School of Education, and Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre.

Acknowledging that the initiative is a long-term goal that requires patience, consistent effort, and pacing, Claudine Allen, general manager of JN Foundation told the Jamaica Observer Press Club on Tuesday that with the passage of Hurricane Melissa and its devastation on the early childhood sector, the advocacy groups are even more compelled to champion the equity of early learners.

“I am heartened but also a little bit concerned about the reports of the damage shared by the National Education Trust. The task that we have ahead of us in terms of the physical learning space is a significant one, and if we are not careful, those who were behind from before the hurricane will drop further behind. If we are going to recover without significant learning loss, it means that all of us have to partner together. It is not a sprint, it is a marathon,” Allen said.

Allen, who pointed to the socio-economic disparities that exist in early childhood education, shared that the sector is inadequately supported, underfunded, and has limited resources that affect its ability to significantly impact children.

She added that the aim of the seminar is to connect expertise from across the region who will highlight successes, challenges, and offer solutions that can be implemented to address these limitations.

“Jamaica is ahead of the curve where many of our Caribbean partners are concerned, but we wanted to create a space where we could learn from each other, replicate successes that other islands are experiencing, and some of what we are learning, share it with them,” she said.

The organisers of the initiative, she said, are committed to providing specific methods aimed at producing a plan of action backed by commitment, dedication, and collaboration with policymakers, practitioners, teachers, and politicians who will be at the seminar.

“We have a particular crisis at hand, but the other Caribbean islands who will be there have experienced their own version of issues like this. Our agenda focuses on things like inclusion, we talk about technology, whether it is a distraction or a tool for collective advancement; we talk about teacher training, what is being done, is it working? How can we empower teachers better? How can the policies be effective,” she said.

The event, which is being held under the theme ‘Building Strong Foundations: Advancing Early Childhood Education through Policy, Practice and Partnership’, will have more than 20 speakers from countries across the Caribbean.

People interested in attending the event are urged to register by visiting the JN Foundation web page at
www.jnfoundation.com.