NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The Education Act of 1965 revised in 1980 which governs education in Jamaica defines an independent school as “any school at which education is provided for twenty or more students between the ages of eight and nineteen years, not being a public educational institution”. The act also defines endowed educational institutions as those who are “wholly or partially maintained by means of any endowement” but does not include the endowment of which is applicable and applied solely for the education of persons being trained to be ministers of any religious denominations or educational institutions that are maintained wholly or partially out of annual voluntary subscriptions and has no endowment other than their premises.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Jamaica, public educational institutions are those that are maintained by the Minister of Education. Public educational institutions includes any aided educational institution. The statuary system of public education is organized in three stages according to the education act; (1). Primary education which consists of full-time education and includes education at a pre-primary school, (2). Secondary education which comprises education for children aged 11-19 and (3). Tertiary education which consists of full time education other than primary or secondary education, part-time education and leisure-time education in organized cultural training and recreative activities.The first 6 years of primary education are compulsory and free.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools, which in Jamaica are considered as independent schools, vary in size across the different education levels. According to data from UIS, the distribution of enrolment in pre-primary education in private institutions qas 75,6% in 2020. In 2019 this figure was considerably higher with 82.3%. At the primary and secondary education levels, the percentage of enrolment in private institutions in 2020 was 10.1% and 2.2% respectively. There is no recent data on enrollment in private tertiary institutions, in 2015, the year with the latest available data enrolment was 39,5%. According to the Jamaica Indepdentent Schools Association (JISA), there are approximately 600 private schools in the island serving different education levels.
There are several international schools in Jamaica that offer the International Baccalaureate program as well as several denominational schools such as the Anglican Church Schools that own and operate 79 basic schools, 26 infant, primary and all-aided schools, 9 preparatory schools, 11 high schools and one teacher’s college.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
The Education Act defined aided educational institutions as institutions which the Minister assists in maintaining. The act includes provisions for the assistance from public funds to private schools. Aided educational institutions are considered as public institutions by the Act. Government-aided schools include denominational schools.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Information recognized the rising interest in home education and reminded families of the strict regulations governing homeschooling. The homeschool system allows children to work at their own pace, in which teaching and learning is facilitated by parents, family member or a trained tutor at the expense of the parent/guardian. Parents and guardians who choose to homeschool their children, must take full responsibility to ensure that their children are educated in a safe and conducive learning environment, guided by the standards provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. Families who wish to homeschool must submit a notification to the Ministry, failure to to maintain basic standards and follow guidelines recommended by the Independent Schools Committee could result in deregistration of the homeschool program. The maximum number of children that can be homeschooled is six.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The government, through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, administers the majority of the schools in the country. The Education Division of the Ministry of Education Youth & Information has direct responsibility for all public education institutions across the island. Its mandate is to formulate, implement and assess all government policies in relation to the education system at all levels – early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary. The Schools Operations section of the Education Services Division oversees the supervision and quality assurance of all public Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary educational institutions.
With respect to non-state involvement in education, the Independent Schools Unit has the responsibility of registratering and regulating independent or private schools to ensure that they operate within the guidelines established by the Government. The unit advises private school managers how to effectively operate and manage their institutions, train their staff, and also provides educational materials for some of schools.
The Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) is a professional organization of Principals, Vice Principals and Directors that represents the interest of private schools across the country. JISA is committed to building the capacity of private schools in order to improve teaching and learning. It represents 150 of Jamaica’s approximately 600 private schools.
Vision. The National Education Strategic Plan 2012-20 sought to increase public-private contributions as well as the participation of private individuals and institutions in different education levels such as ECCE. One of the strategic objectives of the NESP was to build partnerships with donors, private sector partners, the community, parents, employers, and those committed to creating a strong education system.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
In Jamiaca early childhood care and education is delivered through community operated schools, government schools, infant departments in primary and all-aged schools and privately owned schools. Early childhood institutions are settings that provide care, stimulation, education and socialization for children under the age of six years, including day cares centres and basic schools. The National Education Strategic Plan 2012-20 sought to expand early childhood education through the recognition of a number of basic schools administered by private individuals and institutions.
According to UNICEF, Jamaica is recognised as a model for early childhood development, thanks to the results of a pioneering early childhood programme and near to 100 per cent enrollment in early childhood institutions at age 3. Jamaica has approximately 2,700 early childhood education institutions. Through this programme, the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) started working on the certification of early childhood institutions according to 12 standards.
The Early Childhood Commission is governed by a board of nineteen commissioners with an inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral composition. The Board, which is headed by a Chairman, has as its primary role, the undertaking of policy development and oversight of the early childhood sector. Te board is supported by six sub-committees: finance and procurement, audit, human resource, regulations and certification, training research and development and IT, communications and community relations.
The 2005 Early Childhood Act includes provisions for the registration, license, operation and inspection of early childhood institutions.
Registration and approval: According to article 3 of the Early Childhood Education Act (2005), no person shall operate an early childhood institution unless the institution is registered under the Act. Applications for registration shall be submitted in accordance with Section 4 of the Act which underlines the requirements for application for registration. The Early Childhood Commission is the entity in charge of establishing the criteria for the approval and registration of an early childhood institution. Once the Commission has approved the registration of an early childhood institution, a registration certificate must be issued within thirty days and published in the Gazette. The registration is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue of the registration certificate and may be renewed upon application no later than thirty days before the date of expiration of the certificate. The conditions for the refusal or registration are underlined in article 6 of the Act. The Commission will keep a register of early childhood education institutions and operators across the country. The Commission can suspend the registration of an institution if considers that the institution is not being operated in breach of any of the requirements of the Act.
Licence: A licence to operate an early childhood institution will not be granted unless the operator meets tue qualifications prescribed under subsection 4 of the Early Childhood Education Act (2005), related to the training in the care of children.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: The Acts includes provisions for minimum education standards for early childhood education institutions such as prescribing standards with regard to safety, security, sanitation and such other matters as the Minister considers necessary for the efficient operation of an early childhood institution.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Corporal punishment: The Early Childhood Education Act (2005) prohibits corporal publishment in early childhood institutions.
Fee-setting: The prescribed fee of every early childhood education institution shall be submitted to the Ministry of Education with every application for registration according to the Early Education Act.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: According to the Early Childhood Education Act (2005), an inspector can submit to the Early Childhood Commission the complaints from operators, employees or natural persons about the early childhood education institution.
Child assessment: No information was found.
Sanctions: The Early Childhood Education Act (2005) underlines the conditions for the order for closure of early childhood institution. When the Minister has grounds to believe that the welfare of children in an early childhood institution has been, is being or is likely to be, endangered and that it is in the public interest to make an order under this section, the Minister may by order published in the Gazette direct that the institution be closed for such period or pending the fulfilment of such conditions, as the Minister thinks necessary.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): See Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: See Multi-level regulations.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: See Multi-level regulations.
Corporal punishment: Corporal punishment is prevalent in Jamaica both at home and school. According to the organisation to End Corporal Punishment, corporal punishment in Jamaica is prohibited in early childhood institutions and basic schools but prohibition still needs to be enacted in relation to all schools, public and private.
Other safety measures and Covid-19: See Multi-level regulations.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: : No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: : No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
Jamaica is affiliated with the University of the West Indies (UWI), which has campuses in Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad. This regional institution has its headquarters at the Mona campus located in Kingston, Jamaica. he University of Technology (Jamaica Utech), which was previously known as the College of Arts, Science, and Technology (CAST) and received university status in 1995, is Jamaica's only national university. Three private institutions are recognized and accredited by the University Council of Jamaica: the Jamaica Theological Seminary, the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology and the West Indies College/Northern Caribbean University.
The University Council of Jamaica serves as the accreditation body for higher education in Jamaica. 83 institutions and 392 programmes are accredited across the country. The University Council of Jamaica Act regulates the powers of the Council.
Registration and approval: The University Council of Jamaica establishes the conditions for the registration process of tertiary education institutions. The first step is the application for registration where a preliminary meeting with the institution is organized to discuss the quality assurance framework and the documents required for the registration process. Once the documents have been submitted by the institution, the Council will determine the eligibility for a registration visit. The second step for a registration is a site visit to interview relevant stakeholders of the institution and visit the institution facilities and resources. Once the visit has been conducted, a report will be written by members of the evaluation team. The president or principal of the institituion will receive the registration report and will prepare a written response to the UCJ to address the recommendations included in the report. The final step is a decision on the registration. Once registered, an institution has maximum four years to submit programmes for accreditation.
Licence: No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: The Council makes recommendations on the programmes to be accredited or institutions to be registered. The Accreditation and the Accreditation, Curriculum and Development (AC&D) Committee. oversees the development of policies and procedures as they relate to programme readiness assessment, accreditation, recognition and registration.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Boards: Private universities are governed and administrated by a Board of Trustees.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: No information was found.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
The Education Act regulates all education levels from early childhood to tertiary education in Jamaica, including public, aided and independent schools. Independent schools are regulated under Part IV of the education act.
Registration and approval: According to article 25 of the Education Act, the Minister shall appoint an officer of the Ministry of Education to be the Registar of Independent Schools and shall furnish him with a certificate of appointment. The Registar will keep register of independent schools which shall be open for public inspection at all reasobable times. The Independent Schools Committee revises the applications for registration that are submitted by the Registrar.
Licence: The licence operate a private school is granted by the Minister of Education. The proprietor of an independent school will make an application that will be revised by the Minister. The license will be revoked or not granted if the school premises are used for the wrong purposes.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): The Act establishes that the premises of every public institution shall be sanitary and maintained in conditions which the Ministry considers as satisfactory.
Profit-making: The Education Act establishes as one of the requirements to be fulfilled by public educational institutions is to not be conducted for private profit.
Taxes and subsidies: The Education Act regulates the loans to aided educational institutions in articles 15-17. The Act establishes that where the Board of Management of any aided educational institution requires a loan for the purpose of improving or extending the buildings of the institution or erecting a new educational institution in substitution for any discontinued educational institution, the Board may apply to the Minister for a loan from the Government.
Quality of teaching and learning
Teaching profession: The Education Act establishes that any person employed as a teacher in an independent school should be qualified as a teacher. If the Registar identifies any person employed as a teacher at the school who is disqualified from being a teacher, a notification of disqualification will be submitted by the Independent Schools Committee.
With respect to public institutions, the Act establishes in article 33 that a person shall not teach or be employed as a teacher in a public institution unless he is registered as a trained teacher, as a pre-trained teacher or as an authorized teacher.
Other safety measures and Covid-19: As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, private schools offering different education levels had to close due to the financial fallout from the pandemic. According to the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA), more private schools may have to close their doors if they don’t receive financial aid from the Government given that they rely on school fees to carry out their operations which have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Inspection: According to the Education Act, once independent schools have been registered by the Registar, they will be submitted to the Independent Schools Committee which will be in charge of preparing inspection reports. The Committee can decide whether a school is objectionable upon any of the grounds specified in the Act and revoke the license to operate.
Sanctions: Proprietors who conduct an independent school that are not registered or provisionally registered under this Act are subject to sanctions under article 25, Part IV of the Education Act.
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
