Education Ministry calls on retired teachers to help with extra lesson programme

3 years ago

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Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr Grace McLean, is inviting retired educators in the Jamaican diaspora to volunteer their services to the Ministry’s extra lessons programme.

Dr Mclean, who was addressing the ‘Let’s Connect with Ambassador Marks’ monthly online forum last Thursday said that the Ministry will shortly commence the programme, which is one of several initiatives aimed at addressing learning loss since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic last year.

“We are currently in the process of organising our extra lessons programme… which students can [access] virtually or physically,” she said.

She noted that physical access will be guided by the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ COVID-19 protocols.

Dr Mclean called on qualified teachers from within the Jamaican diaspora and locally to lend their expertise to the initiative.

“We will need support from teachers who are qualified and who will be able to deliver in the different subject areas… . There will actually be a portal where teachers will be able to log in and register,” she noted.

“The [registration] process is to be completed and they will be contacted by persons who are responsible for the different areas of the programme. That is one way that contribution can be made by teachers,” the Permanent Secretary said. 

Dr McLean informed that Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, will make an official announcement providing further details of the initiative in a few weeks.

She said that retired teachers can also volunteer their services in providing psychosocial support to students.

“Schools have been engaging retired teachers and other personnel to support our teachers through mental wellness and also the psychosocial support and general motivation that our students need to help them understand what is happening and to understand that their education is still important,” she pointed out.