Future-Ready Education Should Drive National Progress
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has underscored the pivotal role of education in shaping Jamaica’s labour force and propelling the country’s development agenda.
Speaking on Wednesday (May 7) at Mico University College on Teachers’ Day, Prime Minister Holness stated that Jamaica’s economy has transitioned from traditional industries to a predominantly service-based economy, now comprising over 70 percent of national output.
“The next step for growth requires a transformation in our education system. To improve our service economy, we must improve our people, and that begins with education,” the Prime Minister declared.
Prime Minister Holness underscored the urgency of building a well-trained, well-equipped labour force that can meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. The Prime Minister stressed that the country must go beyond educating for the past and instead focus on future readiness.
“We simply cannot educate our young people for the past. We must equip them for the future. That means redesigning our curriculum, rethinking how we use technology in the classroom, integrating STEM and digital literacy at all levels, and investing in soft skills of communication, empathy, and critical thinking.”
The Prime Minister outlined several strategic investments being made to support this vision, including upgrading teacher-training colleges, expanding access to higher education, creating scholarships in STEM disciplines, supporting continuing education for teachers, and partnering with the private sector to boost technical and vocational training, as well as aligning education outcomes with labour market needs.
Importantly, Dr. Holness emphasized that the transformation will not succeed without the dedication of Jamaica’s educators.
“None of this can succeed without the dedication, creativity, and resilience of teachers. Teaching is not a fallback option or a stopgap profession. It is a calling. It is a cornerstone development, and it deserves all the institutional support, financial investment, and public respect that comes with that status,” he said.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the need for systemic support to retain and motivate teachers amidst global trends of migration, highlighting a new comprehensive teacher mobility strategy aimed at building a sustainable education workforce at home.
Prime Minister Holness called on all stakeholders to reimagine the role of education in national development.
“This is not just about guarding what we have. It is about boldly reimagining what education can be in service of the Jamaica we want to build. It is about ensuring that no child is left behind, that no teacher is undervalued, and that no opportunity for excellence is missed because of outdated systems or lack of vision.”
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to empowering educators and transforming the education system to fuel economic growth and national prosperity.