School Improvement Act being drafted

The Jamaican Government has confirmed that laws are coming which will give his ministry powers to take over the management of schools which are operating below standard.   

In his back to school address to the nation Sunday night the Minister of Eduation, Andrew Holness, said his ministry was moving aggressively to improve the performance of educational institutions.

It is in this light that the School Improvement Act is being drafted. 

“The School Improvement Act will mean giving the ministry greater power to intervene in the running of a school where a serious failure in management has occurred, or where the quality of the education service being provided is adjudged by inspection to be below acceptable standards, as to threaten the public's interest. The Ministry is in the process of finalizing a Green Paper to facilitate consultation with its stakeholders and public debate on this very important measure,” he said.

Mr. Holness also disclosed that increased school inspections will be carried out during this academic year.