Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) has launched a nationwide Early Reading Intervention training programme aimed at improving literacy outcomes among Jamaica’s youngest learners. The sessions began on Monday, June 23, and are a key part of the Ministry’s broader Education Transformation Agenda.
The initiative targets more than 13,000 teachers across 986 public and private primary schools, with a focus on Grades 1 to 3. It also aims to impact Grades 4 to 6 through the newly introduced discrete approach to reading instruction. This approach involves the timetabling of reading as a dedicated, 60-minute daily block, a shift from the previously integrated model where reading was embedded within Language Arts.
The training sessions are designed to equip teachers with practical, evidence-based strategies, including multisensory techniques, guided reading, interactive read-alouds, scaffolded spelling, and tailored support for struggling readers and students with special education needs.
“This training marks a renewed commitment to ensuring every child becomes a confident reader,” said Ms. Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle, Acting Chief Education Officer. “We are investing in our teachers because they are at the heart of this transformation. When teachers are well-equipped, our children thrive.”
The current sessions follow a recent Trainer of Teachers Workshop held in Montego Bay, which brought together curriculum officers, literacy specialists, lecturers, and digital learning experts to lead the rollout.
Amid recent public concern over reading being “removed” from school timetables, the Ministry clarified that reading has always been a core component of the Language Arts curriculum. While not always listed as a separate subject, it has been consistently taught as part of structured language instruction. In the 2024 National Literacy Test, students recorded 65.1% mastery, 30.2% near mastery, and 4.7% non-mastery under the integrated approach.
To address these gaps, the Ministry is now formally timetabling reading as a discrete subject, ensuring it is explicitly delivered and backed by targeted teacher training.
In support of the initiative, Senator the Honourable Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, praised the work being led by Permanent Secretary Dr. Kasan Troupe, stating:
“I am a strong supporter of the discrete approach to teaching literacy, and given the gains that I have seen with the integrated approach, I am confident that most if not all of our students will attain mastery in literacy in the very near future and beyond with the discrete approach to teaching reading. I am committed to working with the team to ensure no child transitions to secondary level, not reading at their grade level.”
The training aligns with the National Standards Curriculum (NSC) and focuses on key reading sub-strands such as Word Recognition and Vocabulary Development, Comprehension and Literature, and Research and Study Skills. It also promotes data-driven instruction and the integration of digital and AI tools to modernise reading pedagogy.
Teachers will continue to receive ongoing support throughout the academic year, including school-based coaching, peer check-ins, classroom monitoring, and reflective sessions led by Master Trainers and Regional Officers.
The Ministry is encouraging all stakeholders—educators, parents, and communities—to actively support this mission to build stronger readers and ensure that no child is left behind on the path to lifelong learning.
