The Ministry of Education and Youth’s Sixth-Form Pathways Programme (SFPP) has witnessed a substantial surge in enrolment for the 2022/23 academic year with a total of 24,245 students registered for the SFPP, marking a remarkable 21 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s enrolment figure of 19,122.

Minister of Education, Fayval Williams, expressed her satisfaction with the programme’s success and highlighted the ministry’s commitment to engaging students in innovative ways. Minister Williams made these remarks during her contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 17).

Williams further stated that the SFPP is currently being offered in 167 high schools and 40 tertiary and post-secondary centres during the 2022/2023 academic year. This program provides educational opportunities to students through Pathways one through three, supporting their academic growth and development.

Moreover, the ministry ensures that all students have the chance to pursue Mathematics and English by taking the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) or City & Guilds exams if they were initially unsuccessful in Grade 11. Additionally, each student enrolled in the SFPP receives training and certification in customer service, enhancing their skill set and employability.

Exciting news awaits high-school cadets, as starting in September 2023, when they reach grade 12, they will have access to the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Cadetting (Infantry) Level 3 course, opening doors to broader vocational opportunities.

The SFPP was introduced in September 2020, following a successful pilot in 2019, as a seven-year high-school program aimed at providing students with the opportunity to graduate with various qualifications.

These include an occupational associate degree, certificate, or diploma, an accredited Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) or University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) Associate Degree, as well as Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) subjects or a CAPE Associate Degree.

Students can also graduate with a National Vocational Qualification – Jamaica (NVQJ) and/or Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) at levels two or three.

The surge in enrolment highlights the growing interest and recognition of the SFPP as a valuable pathway for students seeking diverse educational opportunities and certifications. With the Ministry of Education and Youth’s unwavering commitment to student engagement and development, the future appears bright for these ambitious individuals aiming to excel in both education and the workforce.