In an effort to foster equity and inclusion in education, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Dana Morris Dixon outlined sweeping plans to expand special education, support physical education (PE) in schools and address teacher compensation.

With increasing numbers of children diagnosed with special needs, Morris-Dixon emphasised that the ministry aims to expand special education programmes in the classrooms. “The number of children with special needs is increasing significantly around the globe. The same thing is happening in Jamaica… It’s a global phenomenon, and we’re going to have to meet it,” she said.

The minister also acknowledged ongoing concerns about support for physical education in schools.

“As I go around the schools, I hear this a lot, that we don’t put enough effort into PE… We value sports, but we need to put more money there. And the reality is for a lot of our children who may not be academically inclined, we have a responsibility to find what they are good at, and to support them and celebrate them through this.”

Another long-standing issue that is now being addressed is the gazetting of schools. “The gazetting of schools is an urgent matter for me,” she said. Minister Morris Dixon also announced the gazetting and renaming of the License School of Success to the Ena Barclay Academy of Excellence.”

On compensation and equity, Morris-Dixon highlighted that the government recognises the teachers’ complaints and has emphasised that they deserve a good salary. “And our commitment as government, our commitment is to give you the best deal.”

The minister also announced that a national partnership meeting is scheduled with the unions to address salaries and anomalies from past negotiations, and noted that she will continue to advocate for teachers.

“I will continue listening to you to tell me what the policy in the ministry should be. Because at the end of the day, I don’t know it all. I will be there advocating for you, and I will be doing everything I can through the Ministry of Education to make sure that you get the tools that you need and that you are shown the respect that you deserve,” Morris-Dixon added.