JAMAICA EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
The Jamaican Educational System is administered by the Ministry of Education; composed of a central office and 6 regional
offices. The education committee is made up of Education officials who are responsible for monitoring, supervising and
developing educational programs, verifying compliance with educational standards, promoting educational activities, among
other functions.
Academic calendar
Start month: September
End month: July
Duration and official ages of the school clicó:
Primary: 6 years Ages 6-11
Lower secondary: 3 years - Ages 12 - 14
Upper Secondary: 2 years - Ages 15-16
1. primary education
Primary education runs from grades one to six. The age range of students who attend the primary level is between 6 and 11
years. Early childhood education includes Basic, Infant and privately run preschools. The Government of Jamaica began
supporting the development of early childhood education, care and development in 1942. There are 2,595 early childhood
institutions. Of these, 183 are not recognized by the government, 401 are daycares, approximately 100 are nursery schools,
and five are special education schools offering early childhood care. The enrollment rate between 4 and 6 years is 62%, one of
the highest rates in the region
(NATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)
In 1998 and part of 1999, the NAP (NATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) was implemented: it was designed to monitor
the progress of students from first grade to sixth grade. The sixth year knowledge exam is presented. The exam includes:
literature, mathematics, science, language, art and social sciences
2. Secondary education
It is divided into two cycles:
→ 1the first is taken from seventh to ninth grade, in institutions known as; primary and junior hidh, secondary high,
technical high and the independent high schools.
→ 2 is taken during the tenth and eleventh years, in technical vocational courses in agriculture.
Uniforms
In Jamnaica, school uniforms are a tradition in almost all primary and secondary schools, symbolizing discipline and cohesion.
Uniforms vary between institutions and have specific colors that identify each school. Girls usually wear dresses or blouses with
skirts and accessories such as ties or scarves, while boys wear shirts with pants.
Uniforms often include school insignia or emblems. Schools impose strict rules on the use of uniforms, which are accepted
as tools to promote discipline and equality among students.
school classes
There are five types of schools in Jamaica, these are
ALL AGE SCHOOLS: These types of schools are designed to teach the first cycle of secondary education, which ranges
between the ages of 12 and 14 years.
*PRIMARY AND JUNIOR HIGH: the primary level and the first cycle of the secondary level are studied, subjects such as:
music, psychology, Spanish are taught. At the end of the ninth grade, students obtain the diploma known as; junior high
school certificate of education (|HSCE), which allows them to enter upper secondary school or a technical baccalaureate
*SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOLS: these schools provide secondary education at the upper secondary level, lasting between five or seven
years, secondary education ends in the eleventh grade.
*TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOLS: they teach a technological baccalaureate where students obtain academic training in business,
industrial education, economics or agriculture. In the eleventh grade, students can take the exams from the United Kingdom or
those from the Caribbean Council
*VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS: Vocational education system in agriculture, only taught in ALL AGE SCHOOLS
*JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS: to enter you must take an exam that is prepared by the Ministry of Education and
Culture.
Foreign language
In accordance with the Secondary Education Reform (ROSE) of 2000, foreign language is taught as a compulsory
subject in the first cycle of secondary education (12-14), and the methodology
Try to follow the communicative approach. Spanish is the most important and most chosen foreign language, followed by
French. Almost all secondary schools offer Spanish as a foreign language; However, there are centers that do not have a
teacher to teach the subject, a fact that is especially noticeable in rural areas. In private centers this problem does not exist.
The number of private primary and secondary schools is relatively low, at 25%, compared to public schools, which
represent the remaining 75%.
Rating scale
1. 75 -100% EXCELLENT
2. 65-74% VERY GOOD
3. 50 - 64%. GOOD
4. 50%. APPROVED
5.0 - 49% FAIL
Policies and Support Programs:
* School Feeding Program:
Provides meals to students to improve nutrition and academic performance.
* Subsidies and Scholarships: Availability of subsidies and scholarships for students
needy and talented.
* Technical and Vocational Education:
Programs that offer technical and vocational training to prepare students for the job market.
