Jamaican Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, conducted a high-impact tour of schools within Quality Education Circle (QEC) 44 in Central Manchester on Thursday, reaffirming the Ministry’s priorities of literacy, curriculum reform, and fostering innovation in education.
Accompanied by Central Manchester Member of Parliament Miss Rhoda Moy Crawford and a team led by Mrs. Susan Nelson-Smith, Director of Regional Educational Services for Region 5, the Minister visited Belair High, Mt. Joseph Catholic High, May Day High, and Victor Dixon High to observe the progress being made on the ground.
Hands-on agriculture at Belair High
At Belair High School, Minister Morris Dixon explored the institution’s thriving vegetable garden, part of a program that provides students—particularly those pursuing CSEC Agriculture—with valuable hands-on farming experience. Miss Sharlette Brown, who teaches Grades 7 to 11, explained how the project is rooted in the National Standards Curriculum (NSC).
During a meeting with Principal Dr. Donalyn King and members of the academic staff, the Minister emphasized the urgent need to improve literacy at the primary level.
“We have too many children leaving primary school who are not literate,” she said. “In my mind, what is the point of having a heavy curriculum and heavy material to go through if you are not literate? At a minimum, every child should leave primary school literate. That is our goal.”
She also announced a key policy change: “In September, we have committed that we are going to timetable reading. It is not currently on the timetable in our primary schools, and it needs to be, because we are not serving those children well,” she stated.
School expansion at Mt. Joseph Catholic High
At Mt. Joseph Catholic High, Minister Dana Morris Dixon toured ongoing expansion and modernization works, which include new third and fourth form classroom blocks, an administrative building, a canteen, and an auditorium. Principal Mrs. Sheryl Gayle shared her enthusiasm, noting the upgrades are part of the Ministry’s Education Transformation Programme and executed through the National Education Trust (NET).
Technology leadership at May Day High
At May Day High School, the Minister observed how the institution is integrating digital tools into daily operations. Principal Stanford Davis showcased the school’s advanced digital management system that handles everything from student attendance and academic performance to finances, using platforms like QuickBooks. A dedicated app even allows parents to monitor student data in real time.
“What we are seeing here is the future of school management — efficient, transparent, and centered on student performance,” Minister Morris Dixon said. She also took part in a Q&A with staff, addressing concerns about the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill and affirming that teacher registration remains free of charge.
STEM highlights at Victor Dixon High
The day concluded at Victor Dixon High School with the 7th Annual Owen Roberts Science Lecture Series and STEM Awards. Themed “The Dance of Atom: A Journey Through the Wonders of Chemistry,” the event featured student-led demonstrations in robotics, food science, and hands-on chemistry experiments like lava lamps and baking red velvet cake.
“There are wonderful and innovative things happening in our schools across Jamaica,” said Minister Morris Dixon. “Our children are brimming with potential, and we must continue to support them with strong curricula, modern tools, and targeted policies that ensure no child is left behind.”
