Following the 5th Biennial Diaspora Conference held in Montego Bay, Jamaica in June 2013, the Jamaica Diaspora from the USA, Canada and UK under the leadership of the Diaspora Advisory Board Member in the West/Midwest USA met to discuss using their resources and expertise to support the education system in Jamaica.
A Diaspora Education Task Force has subsequently been created and includes representatives from the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT), Diaspora Implementation Council, The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), The Joint Board of Teacher Education JBTE, The NPTAJ (PTA), Early Childhood Commission (ECC).
The Task Force has organized the Advancement in Education Summit 2014 under the theme “Advancing Education Initiative – A Strategic Alliance with the Jamaica Diaspora”. There will be two sessions – on February 18th at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James and on February 20th at the Cedar Grove Academy in Portmore, St. Catherine. A wrap-up session is scheduled for February 21st at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association headquarters in downtown Kingston.
The Diaspora Education Task Force has determined that the Education Summit February 18-21, 2014 is warranted in order to bring all stakeholders, employers and facilitators of education together in order to understand and identify all the gaps, challenges, progress, plans and how they affect our children and teachers. The Summit affords the Education Task Force the opportunity to listen and learn more about the current state of these organizations.
One outcome of the Summit will be a draft 6 year plan to address the needs, limitations and strengths in Jamaica while the areas in which the Jamaica Diaspora can collaborate will be identified.
Of the 30 strong delegation, the Southern US Region will be represented by Dr. Susan Lycett Davis, immediate past – Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board Member & Educator, and Dr. Janice Cover, President/CEO – Improving Schools Consulting Service, LLC.
ITINERARY
o Tuesday, February 18th
– 8:00 am – 5:00 pm – Summit – Hilton Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James
o Wednesday, February 19th
– 5:00 am- Depart Montego Bay for Pegasus Hotel in Kingston
– 9:15 am – Depart for tours to Education institutions – Mico University, CXC, OEC
o Thursday, February 20th
– 8:00 am – 5:00 pm – Summit – Cedar Grove Academy in Portmore, St. Catherine
o Friday, February 21st
– 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Summit Wrap up session – Jamaica Teachers’ Association Headquarters in Kingston Please contact Leo Gilling at: [email protected] for more information and participation
