Construction of first STEAM academy to start in new financial year
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 8:45 PM
Construction of Jamaica’s first Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy will begin in the new fiscal year that starts on April 1.
The institution, a Jamaica 60 legacy project, will be erected on the 22 acres of land reserved for social services at the Greater Bernard Lodge Development in St Catherine.
The works will be done under Phase II of the Education System Transformation Programme, which has been allocated approximately $689 million in budget proposed for the 2025-2026 financial year. The document was tabled in the House of Representatives las week.
During the upcoming year, the Government will also be looking to finalise and seek approval for the STEAM Education Policy, commence and complete standards and guidelines for the management and operations of dormitory facilities and develop an information and communications technology (ICT) strategy and requirement plan.
The Education System Transformation Programme’s main objective is to advance the education sector’s modernisation and build on initiatives already executed.
These include improving the management of school plants, human and capital resources and student outcomes by 2025/26, and improving school efficiency and administration by establishing a management framework.
The programme is also intended to increase student access to quality secondary-school places through the construction of six new STEAM academies and one Visual and Performing Arts secondary-level institution by 2028/29.
Among the achievements, up to December 2024 are the development of a governance and management framework document for the operation of STEAM schools; a draft STEAM Education Policy concept document and draft building Standards for early-childhood, primary and secondary schools for which stakeholder consultations are ongoing, and land acquisition for one of three sites identified.
The project is being implemented by the National Education Trust and funded by the Government of Jamaica.
It commenced in April 2022 and has a March 2030 completion date.
- JIS News
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