Minutes - Activity Implementation Meeting No. 1

The project aims to improve literacy levels among primary school students in Jamaica. The initiative began in 2015 and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project's scope includes the implementation of various activities, such as summer schools, residential teacher training, and renovations of school facilities. The summer school program, which was conducted in July 2015, targeted Grade 1 students and aimed to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. The program was well-received by teachers, principals, and parents, with many expressing enthusiasm for the initiative. Residential teacher training was also a key component of the project. The second and final training session for Cohort 2 schools took place in July 2015, with 63 teachers from 35 schools participating in literacy and numeracy training. The training included the introduction of the Slosson Oral Reading Test, which was used to assess students' reading skills. Principals' sensitization was another important aspect of the project. A two-day training exercise was conducted for 60 principals, or their representatives, in July 2015. The training focused on institutional leadership, operationalizing leadership visions, and action plans. Principals found the training to be enlightening and expressed disappointment that they had not been presented with an opportunity for this level of engagement before. Renovations of school facilities were also undertaken as part of the project. Renovations at all Cohort 3 schools were completed, while renovations at Cohort 2 schools, with the exception of Bryce Primary, were nearing completion. Approval was received from the USAID Regional Contracting Officer for renovations of Cohort 4 schools, which were scheduled to begin in July 2015. The project also focused on establishing library corners in schools. All books, with the exception of one, were received in the island, and a review of the inventory was scheduled for July 30, 2015. The Reggae Readers should not be substituted, according to the project's guidelines. Parenting assessment and partnership was another key component of the project. The Parents' Place Manual was being finalized in collaboration with the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC). Assessments of parental involvement in school activities and governance were to be conducted in all 104 project schools, with the assistance of research officers previously trained by the G2G team. The assessments were scheduled to commence in September 2015. The project's overall goal is to improve literacy levels among primary school students in Jamaica. The initiative aims to increase collaboration between home and school, improve parental involvement, and establish functional Parents' Places in each school and community. The project's success will be evaluated through the assessment of schools and the establishment of Parents' Places.