JSIF invests $34 million to enhance special education capacity | News

The Ministry of Education and Youth in Jamaica is set to receive a significant boost in the special education sector, thanks to support from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). With an investment of approximately $34 million, the agency will be implementing various initiatives to strengthen capacity and create inclusive education spaces in schools across the island.

This grant support comes under the 10th cycle of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF 10). At a recent contract signing ceremony at The Mico University College in Kingston, Managing Director of JSIF, Omar Sweeney, outlined the three components of the support.

The first component involves developing standards for special education institutions through consultation with various stakeholders. The approved standards will be distributed to institutions, and stakeholders will be trained in their application. The second component focuses on training educational leaders to create inclusive educational spaces, while the third component will see 30 teachers gaining certification in identifying learning and behavioral differences in students.

Sweeney emphasized JSIF’s commitment to supporting education, with over 40% of the Fund’s portfolio being invested in the sector. Education and Youth Minister, Fayval Williams, praised the collaboration with JSIF, highlighting the importance of investing in special education.

Assistant Chief Education Officer, Dionne Gayle, expressed gratitude for the ongoing assistance from JSIF, noting the organization’s continued support for special education over the past cycles. The Ministry’s efforts to ensure no student with special needs is left behind have been further bolstered by the training of over 200 new special education assistants and the placement of nearly 300 special needs students in government schools.

The partnership between the Ministry of Education and Youth and JSIF underscores the power of collaboration in driving positive change in the education sector, particularly in the critical area of special education.