The Education Ministry this morning launched its Alternative Pathways to Secondary Education initiative.

Education Minister Senator Ruel Reid said the initiative will provide a new approach to teaching to ensure every student gets the best opportunity to learn and succeed.

The programme is divided into three paths and students are placed based on their performance in the Grade Six Achievement Test.

Students placed on Pathway One will access the national standard curriculum and the relevant syllabuses and programmes up to grade 13.

These students will be allowed to access the exit examinations that best suit their abilities.

Meanwhile, noting that 20 per cent of the annual cohort of primary school students does not master the grade four literacy and numeracy tests, the education ministry says Path Two will be for these students.

This programme is a two-year transitional programme for students who need additional help to boost their performance and will take place between grades seven and eight.

The ministry says the other 80 per cent will access secondary education through the third pathway.

These students will be instructed through a basic academic curriculum in mathematics, English language, communication, social studies and science.

The ministry further says these students will receive training in vocational skills, personal empowerment, performing and creative arts and other areas.

All the pathways will cover the normal seven years of high school.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner