Thwaites: Education system performance was under par when I took over

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites says the performance of Jamaica's education system was under par when he took over in 2012, and he is claiming that the People's National Party-formed government is bringing about major transformation in the system.

According to Thwaites, the PNP administration inherited an education system which had a good foundation, but was underperforming.

He was speaking at a face to face consultation organised by the governing PNP which was held at Campion College in St Andrew.

The education minister's comments come as the country's political parties prepare for local government elections which are due by June.

Thursday's function saw Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips,  National Security Minister Peter Bunting,  and Mayor of Kingston Angela Brown Burke along with Thwaites fielding questions from persons on various issues.

According to Thwaites the last three years have seen "an irreversible transformation of early childhood education". 

He says at the secondary level, the number of schools on the shift system has been drastically reduced and the shift system will be a thing of the past by 2017.

The Education Minister says secondary schools are now offering technical and vocational subjects which will ensure that young people are ready for the world of work.

Thwaites says persons may say the government is busy passing IMF tests but not the people's test.

However, according to him, a good education which is available to all, is the ultimate people's test.