Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterPRIVATE SECTOR groups represented by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) have placed the reform of the nation's education system as a central plank of an economic development plan, dubbed Partnership for Progress.
The recommendations include a five-point proposal to increase efficiency in the administration of the education system.
The private sector-led initiative aims to build a social partnership, including the private sector, unions and government, to ensure that Jamaica's socio-economic climate improves through a combination of public expenditure cuts, wage restraint and tax reform.
According to the draft document under discussion with the Government, performance management systems must be developed and implemented in schools and in the Ministry of Education as a matter of priority, to alleviate the current concerns of accountability in the ministry.
It also proposes the introduction of performance-related monetary and other incentives to promote excellence in teaching.
SOLUTIONS
In addition, the draft document states school attendance between the ages of three and 13 must be compulsory, noting that the Government must urgently reallocate funds from the tertiary to early childhood and primary education.
The private sector partners are suggesting that the Ministry increase its efforts to boost participation between parents, community and churches to attain better attendance levels.
"Solutions do not lie in raising public expenditure alone, but require co-ordinated approaches between stakeholders and prioritising the introduction of a system of accountability," according to the draft document.
Contacted last night, Beverley Lopez, president of the PSOJ, opted not to comment on the document, saying it was still not yet finalised. "We had our first meeting (with Government representatives) last week Monday and we are in discussions," she said.
In late June, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told journalists during a briefing at Jamaica House that his administration had received a draft of the PSOJ-authored policy document. The team reviewing the Partnership for Progress document is being led by Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies.
Last year, Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson said that the ministry would have to reorder its priorities as just about 95 per cent of its $23 billion budget was being spent on salaries and wages.
