FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: A. Leo Gilling
Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force Email: [email protected]
Cell: 909-348-1819

South Florida, October 21, 2015:

“Education in Jamaica gets a Spark in the Diaspora”

In continuing their mission to support Jamaica’s Vision 2030 goals as well as the recommendations that came out of the 2013 Jamaica Diaspora Conference and their subsequent Summit 2014 in Jamaica, the Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force (JDETF) has announced their coming strategic Planning Meetings planned for October 30th to November 1st in South Florida. These planning meetings for the Advancement in Education Summit 2016 have been endorsed by the Minister of Education Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Hon. Arnaldo Brown, and the leadership of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

Highlights of the meetings for the upcoming weekend include discussions on Early Childhood and Special Education, STEM/STEAM education, Read Across Jamaica, middle managers workshop for senior teachers, linking education across borders and planning the 2nd Biennial Advancement in Education Summit 2016. The weekend will also engage local South Florida community leaders and delegations from Jamaica and the global Jamaica Diaspora with the general public who is invited to join the activities planned for Saturday, October 31st at the Kiwanis Center, 3730 W.Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311. That day’s activities will also include a presentation via Skype from the Minister of Education, followed by a Q & A session.

Participants include a three member delegation from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association led by President Norman Allen with Mr. Byron Farquharson the General Secretary and Dr. Mark Nicely the Senior Member Services representative; Dr. Asburn Pinnock President of Mico University College, Mrs. Claudeth Fletcher, Principal of Browns Town Community College; and Dr. Joan Reid the Director of the Early Childhood Commission.

“The success of Summit 2014 indicated that Summit in 2016 will be more far reaching coming on the heels of the 6th Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Jamaica this past June. We have to be prepared, thus our “kick off” meeting began in August. We are not wasting time; we must be prepared for all the individuals and organizations across the global Jamaica Diaspora to have their role in the initiatives. And of course, the current programs must be extended to a higher level…so we are getting ready.” states Leo Gilling, the co-ordinator of the JDETF.