More schools to be removed from shift system

During the 2016-17 academic year, the Government will remove 12 more schools from the shift system.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information Ruel Reid notes that 14,395 students will be impacted. Minister Reid was speaking at a back-to-school press conference recently. The institutions include three primary and junior high schools and nine high schools. He pointed out that more schools will be removed from the shift system over time.

"We will be engaging in a year-by-year programme to reduce the number of schools on the shift system until it is totally eradicated," he said. Minister Reid informed that a schedule will be made available on the ministry's progress. He noted that 25 schools were taken off the shift system during the 2015-16 academic year, including six primary, two all-age, 11 primary and junior high, and six high schools. The shift system was introduced in the 1970s to provide high-school access for all Jamaican children.