The Enhancement of Basic Schools Project

The Enhancement of Basic Schools Project, a Government of Jamaica (GoJ) and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) joint undertaking, was launched in March 2003. There are four components in this project, namely:

• Development of New Learning Environment
• Institutional Strengthening
• Qualitative Improvement
• Public Education

To date the project has commenced work on all the components. The focus in the first year has been on civil works, as we seek to build and renovate a total of 23 basic schools and resource centres. Architectural designs and drawings are in progress for a number of sites. The building phase of the project is scheduled to commence during the third quarter of 2004.

Under the Institutional Strengthening component plans are being finalised for the professional development of a number of Early Childhood (EC) practitioners. Baseline data instruments have been designed and the collection of data has commenced. In the third quarter of this year, the project will commence its national consultation exercise on the Legal and Regulatory Framework.

The Qualitative Improvement component provides for the training of 960 EC Practitioners and this initiative will commence in June 2004.

Under the Public Education component the project has held nine sensitisation fora islandwide. Over 800 individuals including Education Officers (EOs), EC board chairman, sponsoring bodies, service clubs, collaborating ministries, teachers, parents and other stakeholders have been sensitised.

Technology in Early Childhood Education

Since 1999, a special integrated learning system was placed in 19 Basic and Infant Schools and departments. Children learn essential concepts through the physical manipulation of real objects and integrated computer-based activities.

An evaluation of the project showed that computer intervention has had some positive effect on students' visual motor co-ordination, visual and auditory perception, number and letter knowledge.

Over 600 children, four to six years-old, are exposed to computers through this project. In 2003, Women for PACE (Programme for the Advancement of Early Childhood Education) - Canada donated a mobile computer learning lab called "Tech de Bus". The computers are equipped with Microsoft 2000 and desktop systems – The Reader Rabbit, Microsoft Magic School Bus series, and Word Munchers software.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture (MOEYC) pays the teachers and a driver to administer the programme. Presently, the bus is in Region 3 – St. Ann, and visits approximately 15 Basic schools monthly. Four hundred and ninety-eight children are exposed to the computer programmes each month.

Outcomes:

• School attendance has improved
• Parents are more involved in their children's school activities.

Approximately 150 Basic schools now have computers. Others are seeking assistance from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, and other agencies to establish their own computer labs.

The University of the West Indies (UWI), Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre is equipped to assist other Caribbean territories in implementing computer training in their Early Childhood education programmes.

The EBSP will equip the 12 model Basic schools with computers and support to maximise the use of the technology in the learning process.