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JAM | Nov 20, 2023

Gov’t secures $4.6-billion loan to fund STEM high school, roll-out of education management system

Tamoy Ashman

Tamoy Ashman / Our Today

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Lleft to right) Minister of Education Fayval Williams, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke and Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank country director for Caribbean countries. (Photo: X @ NigelClarkeJa)

The Government of Jamaica and the World Bank have signed an agreement for a US$30-million (J$4.6 billion) loan that will be used to build Jamaica’s first Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-focused high school as well as fund the roll-out of the Jamaica Education Project (JEP).

“Through the Jamaica Education Project, the Ministry of Education will procure and install a comprehensive education management information system. This enterprise software system will allow the [Ministry of Education] to optimise the management and allocation of education resources, in a manner that is not possible while relying on manual data and systems,” Minister of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS) Dr Nigel Clarke explained in a statement on X as he expressed excitement about the partnership between the Ministry of Education and the World Bank to improve Jamaica’s math and science education outcomes.

Clarke noted that improvements in math and science outcomes will make Jamaica a more attractive destination for higher value-added investments and higher-paying jobs.

He added that the availability of real-time management information on the education system will “allow the Ministry of Education to improve Jamaica’s education outcomes and better achieve its policy goals”.

(left to right) Minister of Education Fayval Williams, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke and Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Country Director for Caribbean countries. (Photo: X @ NigelClarkeJa)

The STEM curriculum and teaching methods in all high schools will also be upgraded.

The agreement, signed on November 20, will end on June 30, 2029.

Clarke announced the signing of the agreement on Sunday while speaking at a constituency conference for North Western St Ann.

He shared that six STEM schools are to be built in Jamaica.

Construction of Jamaica’s first Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy commenced in Dunbeholden, St Catherine, last year.

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