Page 102 - JSIF Magazine Approved-v2-web4
P. 102
engineering and mathematics) in the school curriculum, and beverage, agriculture, guidance counselling among other
providing support to the Ministry’s school safety initiatives by areas of focus.
building the capacity of schools to prevent and manage school
violence and support education and recreation activities within At the national level, there are currently no structured
schools to improve academic performance and general youth programmes to support the transition of students from primary
development. to secondary level education. Realizing that children are not
always prepared for the move to high school, the ICDP facilitated
One STEM related activity is the funding of Grade Six Transition Seminars which targeted primary/all age schools
Achievement Test (GSAT) Clinics. This intervention supports and GSAT Centres located in the ICDP communities. The
students from inner city communities who are performing seminars target school leavers (Grade 6, Grade 9 and ASTEP)
below their grade level and who if left unassisted are at risk of and aim to (a) build awareness of the transition process from
falling out of the school system. The programme has sought primary to secondary school (b) support the building of skills,
to improve the academic performance in GSAT as measured attitudes, and competencies to manage the transition process
by GSAT test scores. from primary to secondary education.
Another programme to stimulate student interest in STEM Recognizing that the youth in the inner city face numerous
related activities was a science quiz competition where challenges as it relates to achieving the grades necessary to
students from schools targeted under the Integrated matriculate to tertiary level institutions, completing secondary
Community Development Project (ICDP) participated. education, and acquiring comparative qualifications and
experience when compared to older job seekers, JSIF has
Students of Denham Town Primary engaged during Transition Seminar.
JSIF supports summer camps in the ICDP communities Students from the St. George’s Girls Primary School take a break during their
focusing on unattached children/youth during the summer Transition Seminar.
months when they are susceptible to summer learning loss,
violence and gang recruitment. In addition to the standard developed an alternative livelihoods and skills development
educational curriculum, facilitators included life skills programme which provides viable non-traditional options to
development activities, health and nutrition, personal safety, obtaining skills or undertaking income earning activities. The
dining and etiquette, personal grooming, sexual/reproductive Alternative Livelihood and Skills Development (ALSD) strategy
and mental health. Over the years, the camp focus has ranged aims to improve the livelihood opportunities of the youth
from STEM activities, numeracy and literacy, sports, life guard population (17-29 years old) by providing opportunities for
training, maritime training, environmental awareness, conflict technical and vocational training, certification and increasing
resolution, clothing and textile, arts and crafts, landscaping, access to the labour market and self-employment.
web page design, film production, plant maintenance, food
102
