EDUCATION
Watering the Root : Digicel Foundation shifts gears to serve the early childhood sector
With all targets met under the recently concluded Literacy Enrichment Programme , Digicel Foundation is renewing its focus on the early childhood sector , redoubling its efforts at improving the performance of children in literacy and numeracy .
Through a newly cemented partnership with the Ministry of Education , Youth and Information ’ s ( MoEYI ) Early Childhood Commission ( ECC ), the Foundation looks forward to providing critical support for Early Childhood Institutions ( ECIs ) that have failed to meet the Government ’ s certification standards . The ECC , which has regulatory responsibility for all early childhood institutions , will provide the necessary guidance to ensure the schools meet the criteria .
The schools to be adopted by the Foundation are the New Works Primary & Infant in Westmoreland , Upper Rock Spring All Age & Infant in Hanover , Pratville Infant Department in Manchester , Carisbrook Infant Department in St . Elizabeth and Cassava River Primary & Infant Department in St . Catherine . They will receive financial and technical support to secure national certification from the ECC .
Executive Director at the ECC , Karlene Degrasse-Deslandes said “ We are happy to welcome yet another partner on this journey to improve our early childhood sector and guarantee better learning environment for our children . The Commission is convinced that this level of commitment from the Foundation will encourage other stakeholders in the private sector to adopt an early childhood institution and provide the support needed to raise the standard of education .”
Roogae Kirlew - Principal , Cassava River Primary & Infant School Karlene Deslandes - Executive Director , Early Childhood Commission Dane Richardson - CEO , Digicel Foundation
Roogae Kirlew - Principal , Cassava River Primary & Infant School Karlene Deslandes - Executive Director , Early Childhood Commission Dane Richardson - CEO , Digicel Foundation + teacher at the institution in the background
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