Raising Literacy Levels through Quality

Improvements in Teaching and Learning

Mr. Kevin Walsh

The goal of the literacy and learning support component of the Jamaica All Age Schools Project is to bring about quality improvements in teaching and learning which will raise literacy levels for students and community members.

This goal is to be achieved through a number of strategies, working in support of MOEYC central unit officers and regional education officers.

In-service teacher training initiatives are being conducted to support quality improvements in Language Arts teaching and learning through the Revised Primary Curriculum and ROSE. Principals and literacy co-ordinators in eight pilot schools have received training in activity-based learning and classroom management techniques. Resources will be available through school development planning to enhance learning environments and provide access to high-quality learning materials for all students. Through links with other project components, developments in adult and family literacy are also being provided.

Since the review of JAASP’s objectives, a number of new initiatives are being developed.

With the MOEYC’s Core Curriculum and Professional Development Units, and with the support of regional education officers and community relations education officers, plans are under way to provide literacy and family literacy training to principals and literacy coordinators in all 48 schools by June 2001.

With the MOEYC Early Childhood Unit, JAASP will provide in-service training and resources to support reading-readiness assessment and intervention strategies in basic schools.

JAASP will also provide in-service training and resources to support quality improvements in provision for children with special needs.

The initial training of specialist literacy teachers will be supported by JAASP at the recently established national literacy centres at Bethlehem and Moneague teachers colleges.