The Government will be strengthening the Career Advancement Programme (CAP), which provides additional educational and vocational training opportunities for secondary students, aged 16 to 18.
This was announced by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, while delivering the Throne Speech during Thursday’s (April 14) Ceremonial Opening of Parliament, for the 2016/17 legislative year, at Gordon House.
Since its introduction in 2010, the CAP, which falls under the Alternative Pathways to Secondary Education (APSE) programme, has been restructured to enhance its outcomes and the efficiency with which it is administered.
The APSE, which was launched by the Government in March this year, will increase the number of improved teaching programmes provided for students.
Instructions will be based on tailored curricula, enabling each learner to perform to his/her fullest potential, based on aptitude, interest and ability.
To this end, the Governor-General said the APSE “will ensure that every student is given the opportunity to progress through their secondary education.”
Additionally, he said the CAP’s reach will be extended to provide a “lifeline” to many young people “who would otherwise become a part of the growing number in the unattached category.”
The Governor-General further announced that a raft of interventions, designed to support students with behavioural challenges, will be introduced.
“The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information will also…focus on parenting education, (by) conducting parenting classes in communities across Jamaica,” he added.
A statement from the Education Ministry earlier this year, indicated that the CAP, which is currently offered in 53 institutions, will be rolled out in all secondary schools at the commencement of the 2016/17 academic year, in September.
The programme will also be offered at HEART Trust/NTA institutions and National Youth Service (NYS) centres, in partnership with the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL), among other entities. Provisions will also be made to accommodate young people, up to age 29.
Meanwhile, the Governor-General said the Education Ministry is moving to further develop the Jamaica Values and Attitudes Programme for Tertiary Students (JAMVAT).
This, he added, in order to provide support to more students in need of assistance to access tertiary education, noting that “this programme is also about the (beneficiaries) doing voluntary service and contributing positively to the community.”
The Throne Speech was delivered under the theme: ‘Building a Partnership for Prosperity.’
Source: Jamaica Information Service