ROSE HALL, St James — The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoE) has commended one of its seven educational regions across Jamaica — Region 4 — for leading the way in the number of qualified teachers and certified places of learning for children at the start of their learning journey.

Region 4 has also been lauded for performing above the national average in Primary Exit Profile (PEP), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations even though many schools in the area were devastated by Hurricane Melissa last October.

“This region already has a very strong foundation. It includes three tertiary institutions and one recently closed, earmarked for repurposing by HEART/NSTA Trust. Your region has achieved the highest teacher certification rate among the regions and has the highest number of registered and certified early childhood institutions nationally. Our responsibility is to convert that capacity into consistently excellent learning experiences for every child,” state minister in the ministry Rhoda Moy Crawford told the Region 4 Principals’ Leadership Conference and Appreciation Luncheon 2026 at Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James last Thursday.

During the event, parliamentary secretary in the ministry Senator Marlon Morgan described the region’s performance in PEP, CSEC and CAPE as a testament to profound courage and hard work despite the challenges brought on by the Category 5 storm.

At the primary level, Region 4 met the 70 per cent PEP target in three of four areas — Language Arts, 71.6 per cent; Literacy, 77.9 per cent; Numeracy, 74.5 per cent and Mathematics at 68.4 per cent, missing the target by only 1.6 percentage points.

At the secondary level, the overall CSEC pass rate increased significantly from 72.1 per cent in 2005 to 79.1 per cent in 2026, with improvements across several subject areas, including the arts.

Among the schools mentioned for their outstanding performance was Grange Hill High School in Westmoreland where the mathematics pass rate moved from zero per cent in 2005 to 71 per cent in 2026. At Maud McLeod High School in Westmoreland, it rose from zero per cent two years ago to 35 per cent last year and now to 43 per cent this year.

As for Mount Alvernia High School in St James, mathematics increased by 16 per cent to 84 per cent this year. The school recorded a 95 per cent overall CSEC pass rate and 100 per cent at CAPE, while 100 per cent pass rates were achieved in nine CSEC subjects. There was also a 100 per cent pass rate recorded for English Language at Hopewell High School in Hanover.

In commending the region for its inspiring response to Hurricane Melissa, Crawford touched on the implementation of a Regional Online Enhancement Programme.

“It began with mathematics and four teachers, but students asked for Spanish, English, Science, Information Technology, and Social Studies. The initiative grew to 36 volunteer educators and education officers, and it became a six-day-a-week programme, including weekends,” stated Crawford.

“When educators questioned whether there was sufficient time for additional weekend sessions, the students essentially said, ‘We are ready’. That response should challenge every assumption we hold about children. They are not asking for us to lower the standard; they are asking for us to support them with resources, opportunity, and belief in them that will enable them to meet success,” she added.

Crawford noted, however, that the ministry cannot continually ask principals and teachers to achieve more without ensuring they have the necessary tools. She stressed that the ministry is committed to providing resources, infrastructure, technology, teaching and learning materials, connectivity, and specialist support.

Earlier this year, approximately 200 Grade 6 and Grade 11 students from Westmoreland and St James participated in targeted mathematics, English, and STEM activities at Maud McLeod High School. The programme included robotics, interactive mathematics, English activities, career exposure, STEAM projects, and tri-skill sessions. The initiative also saw the launch of a resource hub at Maud McLeod High School through a partnership involving the ministry, Liberty Caribbean Foundation, and Flow Foundation.

This hub is intended to support 11 schools in Eastern Westmoreland with shared technology, STEM kits, printing instructional materials, and specialised learning spaces.

In Hanover, technology resource hubs were established at Bethel Primary and Lucea Infant schools, with complementing hubs at Maud McLeod High and Grange Hill High schools in Westmoreland. These facilities place laptops, STEM and mathematics kits, microscope robotics equipment, projectors, and other instructional resources directly in the hands of teachers and their children.

Region 4, commonly referred to as the region of innovators, has recorded the highest usage of the new online teacher appraisal system. This tool is expected to help protect important teacher records and support continuity during future disruptions via digital documents and e-portfolios.

During last Thursday’s conference, Morgan officially launched The Lighthouse, a Region 4 newsletter and resource guide publication designed to showcase regional achievements, highlight school development initiatives, support educators, and share directives from Regional Director Dr Michele Pinnock.