Month: September 2025

Kingston, Jamaica –  A wave of hope and renewal has swept over Fullerswood Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth as the National Education Trust (NET), in partnership with the Rotary Club of New Kingston (RCNK), proudly celebrates the handover of a life-changing water harvesting system. Funded by RCNK’s generous donation of USD 8,000, this project marks a transformative milestone in restoring the school’s resilience and sustainability after the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl.

On the vibrant grounds of the school, the handover ceremony brought together a united community of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Rotary Club of New Kingston, Keisha Johnson, Director of the Donor & Partnership Management Unit at NET, other NET representatives, the school’s principal, staff and students. This initiative is a testament to a shared vision of empowerment—ensuring that schools have the essential resources to shape brighter futures for their communities.

The project delivered six (6) 1,000-gallon water tanks and a powerful 1.5HP pump, securing a reliable water supply for the school. Beyond the infrastructure, NET’s hands-on involvement in providing technical assistance, project management and seamless coordination with RCNK underscores its unwavering commitment to uplifting educational institutions. The collaboration between NET and RCNK has brought this ambitious project to life, ensuring every dollar was meticulously managed to achieve its goals.

Latoya Harris-Ghartey, Executive Director of the National Education Trust, shared heartfelt gratitude, saying: “We are profoundly grateful to the Rotary Club of New Kingston for their visionary support. This partnership exemplifies the extraordinary impact of community collaboration. At NET, we believe it truly takes a dedicated village to uplift our schools and the communities they serve. Together, we have ensured that Fullerswood Primary and Infant School is now equipped with the resources to inspire and nurture tomorrow’s leaders.”

Excitement filled the air as students and staff celebrated this vital step towards a more sustainable and nurturing learning environment. With access to a dependable water supply, the school is better prepared to provide clean, safe and supportive conditions for education, ensuring students can focus on learning and growing.

The Acting Principal of Fullerswood Primary and Infant School, Ms. Shaneke Foster also shared her appreciation, noting:

“We are incredibly thankful to the National Education Trust and the Rotary Club of New Kingston for their generous donation. This project will make a tangible difference in the lives of our students and staff. It will also decrease our water issues that have been affecting our school since Hurricane Beryl. This donation will provide much-needed access to water and ensure our school is better prepared for the future.”

This partnership between NET and RCNK serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when hearts and hands unite to address the educational challenges in Jamaica. By prioritizing essential infrastructure improvements like water harvesting, stakeholders are sowing the seeds of progress for schools and the communities they anchor.

As Fullerswood Primary embarks on this new chapter, the ripple effects of this transformative project will undoubtedly resonate for generations, creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

The Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (PACE) Canada, in collaboration with its various partners, has strengthened its commitment to the development of the Early Childhood sector of Jamaica through the donation of 1,500 OneTab tablets. These devices, valued at over USD 88,400 (approximately JMD 14 Million), were handed over during a ceremony, which was held today at 11:00 a.m., at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School.

The initiative, executed in partnership with the National Education Trust (NET), aims to enhance the learning experience for young children aged 3 to 5 years across 340 Early Childhood Institutions (ECIs) island wide. The tablets are equipped with age-appropriate software designed to foster early literacy and numeracy skills, offering children access to cutting-edge educational tools that promote creativity and digital engagement.

Speaking at the event, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, Executive Director of the National Education Trust, emphasised the power of partnerships in driving transformative change. “This initiative exemplifies the power of a committed village investing in our children’s future. The collaboration between PACE Canada, NET and our partners underscores that together, we can create sustainable opportunities for early learning and development.”

The ceremony also featured remarks from Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, who lauded the enduring partnership between PACE Canada and educational institutions in Jamaica. Mrs. Diana Burke, President of PACE Canada, expressed her organisation’s unwavering commitment to the advancement of childhood education in Jamaica.

 

Tanketa Chance-Wilson, CEO of the Barita Foundation, praised the alignment of this initiative with her organisation’s core values. “At the Barita Foundation, we believe in investing in education as a vehicle for social transformation. Initiatives like this exemplify our mission to empower communities and provide equitable access to resources that nurture potential and inspire excellence.”

Founded over 34 years ago, PACE Canada is a registered charitable foundation with a mission to support Early Childhood Institutions in Jamaica. In its first phase, PACE Canada donated 923 OneTab tablets, benefitting over 200 ECIs to the “One Laptop or tablet per Child Initiative”, which was launched in November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to bridge the digital divide and empower children with the tools necessary for their educational journey. This second phase marks another significant milestone, expanding the initiative’s reach and impact.

Shelly-Ann Webber, Acting Principal at the Jamaica China Goodwill Infant School, highlighted the impact these devices will have on students. “These tablets are game-changers for our children, many of whom do not have access to technology at home. This donation will allow us to create a more interactive and inclusive learning environment, giving our students the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital age.”

The donation was made possible through the invaluable support of PACE Canada’s partners, including the Barita Foundation, VM Foundation, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, JPS Foundation, Digicel Foundation, Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club, Author Marjorie Straw, among others. These partnerships underscore the collective effort to improve the Early Childhood Sector in Jamaica and to equip the nation’s youngest learners for a brighter future.