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Giving students in Jamaica more The success
room and time to learn of the
In addition, CDB continues to Bridge
support the Government of Jamaica
Jamaica in its efforts to address Project
overcrowding in primary schools
and end the shift system. The by Janet Allen, JFLL Special Projects Manager .
Bank’s investments also include
making the expanded schools The success of the partnership between the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning
more accessible for physically (JFLL) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) may be attributed to the close
challenged students. working relationship that was enjoyed during the 2015-2016 Educational training
programme conducted in St. Thomas under the Bridge Jamaica project. The partnership
Under the seventh cycle of BNTF, was characterized by open communication, coordination of efforts, and joint monitoring
CDB contributed a US$2.76 and evaluation processes. In other words, it was much more than the typical negotiated
million grant to benefit 7,500 relationship with our organization being the service provider of adult literacy & numeracy
students. They will have more education and an implementing agency providing investments in community-based
room and time to learn, with the projects. In fact it was a bi-lateral cooperation ensuring the objective of transitioning
expansion and rehabilitation of learners from select rural communities to the Grade Six Standard Certification level,
six primary schools, which will and the realization of the long term impact of improving the overall performance of the
include: 62 new and upgraded participants within their respective families, communities and the society.
classrooms, new and rehabilitated
sanitation blocks, furniture for the The effectiveness of the partnership resulted in a win-win for all stakeholders. JFLL
students and teachers, and safety was afforded the opportunity to efficiently pioneer its flagship High School Diploma
equipment. Additionally, under the Equivalency (HSDE) programme at the Basic level to the beneficiaries. The learners
eighth cycle of BNTF, CDB provided have grown academically and socially since being engaged in the project and most
the Government of Jamaica with have indicated their desire to continue their academic development. With their new
a US$750,000 grant to expand achievements in Mathematics, English, Life Skills and Information Technology at the
and rehabilitate three primary JFLL HSDE Basic level. The graduates are now better prepared to pursue their aspirations
schools, which will result in the ranging from gaining employment and entrepreneurism to becoming artistes, having
construction of seven classrooms, successfully completed the one year educational programme.
benefitting 3,200 students.
Facilitators have expressed that through the practical experience, their andragogy skills
Jamaica is one of 10 countries, (technique in teaching adult learners) have been developed significantly. JSIF can be
which benefit from BNTF proud of its achievement and image as an effective support to the GOJ in its efforts to
programmes. JSIF is a strong promote social development, particularly among the poor.
partner in implementing CDB’s
social and community projects in One limitation that the project encountered was the adjustment that had to be made
Jamaica. to the envisaged scope to target 30 adult PATH beneficiaries in the rural areas of three
parishes identified with the highest levels of poverty in the Eastern belt of the island.
However, the one parish selected, adequately allowed for the representation of the core
tenets of the partnership to empower and elevate the educational capacity of the target
group.
Ultimately, the partnership outcomes will serve as a verified model of partnership
formation, implementation and management, providing important guidelines for future
reference.
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