Days 4 & 5: Leaders in Education, "Get up! Stand up! Don't give up the fight!"

Meeting with Jamaica's national hero, and Harvard alumni, Hon. Edward Seager, former Prime Minister of Jamaica.  

The Hon. Edward Seaga served as Jamaica's prime minister from 1980 to 1989. Seaga's prolific career spans across numerous roles including Minister of Finance and Planning, Minister of Development and Welfare, President of Caribbean Democratic Union (CDU) and 43 consecutive years serving as a Member of Parliament.  

Seaga's most famed accomplishment is the pivotal role he played in the return of Marcus Garvey's body to Jamaica for burial. Moreover, Seaga spearheaded the transition of the country's financial institutions from foreign to Jamaican ownership, established the Jamaican Festival, designed the Cultural Training Center, and created multiple social programs focusing on education and employment. 

Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education. During our meeting with the Minister, we discussed our observations on activity-based learning strategies from two days of classroom visits throughout seven schools in Kingston. The Minister commented on the need for leaders in education to actively draw upon the perspectives of students, teachers and administrators in order to successfully improve the national education system.   

Dr. Franklin Johnston, advisor to the Minister, comments that while he appreciates Harvard students highlighting the bright spots in Jamaica's education system, he  would also like for us to share a critical perspective on what is not working, what needs improvement and what our recommendations would be in order to make such changes possible in Jamaica. 

Addy draws upon her previous experience of living and working in Jamaica as she presents to the Minister of education.

Monitoring & Evaluation Unit, Ministry of Education.