Excellence . Love . Service . Integrity
Jamaica Teaching Council Boys Education Programme
Advancing the Education of Boys: Creating Equity in Teaching and Learning
Programme Overview
The Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Boys Education Programme was launched in 2014 as a strategic response to the persistent underachievement of boys in the Jamaican education system. This initiative, developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, aims to transform educational outcomes for boys through targeted interventions, innovative teaching strategies, and comprehensive support systems.
The programme recognizes that boys' underachievement is a complex issue rooted in multiple factors including sociological, historical, and economic dynamics. Rather than comparing boys and girls, the programme focuses on raising achievement levels for all students while specifically addressing the unique challenges faced by boys.
With the vision that "Every child can learn, Every child must learn," the JTC Boys Education Programme works to ensure that boys can engage meaningfully with education and develop into productive citizens.
The Challenge of Boys' Underachievement
Academic Performance Gap
Significant disparities exist between boys' and girls' academic performance across all levels:
- Lower literacy rates among boys in primary schools
- Higher failure rates in core subjects like English and Mathematics
- Increased grade repetition among male students
- Higher dropout rates at the senior secondary level
Social and Behavioral Challenges
Boys face numerous social and behavioral challenges that impact their educational outcomes:
- Higher rates of disciplinary issues and school suspensions
- Greater involvement in violent activities and gang affiliation
- Shorter attention spans with traditional teaching methods
- Lack of positive male role models in homes and schools
Socio-economic Impact
The underachievement of boys has significant socio-economic implications for Jamaica:
- High incarceration rates (males account for 96% of prison population)
- Economic costs of crime estimated at 3.7-7.1% of GDP
- Limited workforce participation and productivity
- Cycle of poverty and social marginalization
Programme Components
Mentoring Programme
The mentoring component uses a future-proof approach by pairing boys with adult mentors while also empowering boys to serve as peer mentors. Currently, 45 active male mentors are paired with 110 male students.
The programme also includes the "Young Knights" initiative, where exemplary students are trained and badged by the JTC to mentor other young men.
Boys' Journal
A reflective tool distributed to 75 schools across all seven educational regions. With 25,000 hard copies disseminated, the journal helps boys to:
- Guide their career path through reflection
- Express their emotions constructively
- Reflect on the consequences of choices
- Develop goal-setting and planning skills
Entrepreneurship Programme
The "Earn While You Learn" school-based business programme trains boys in entrepreneurship skills. 100 boys from 10 schools were trained and given $1,000,000 in total seed funding.
Projects include farming, joinery, welding, and auto mechanics, applying academic learning to real-world contexts.
Teacher Training & Development
Comprehensive training for educators to better understand and support boys' learning needs. Training focuses on:
- Gender-sensitive teaching techniques
- Behavior management strategies
- Brain-based education approaches
- Technology integration in teaching
Boys' Fora & Symposia
Annual National Fora bring together boys and leaders from business and public administration. These events provide boys with a platform to share experiences and shape the programme's direction.
The 2022 Symposium featured panel discussions led by boys themselves on "What is a man?" - demonstrating their maturity and confidence.
Innovative Learning Approaches
The programme encourages schools to implement innovative approaches to engage boys, including:
- The "Green Classroom" - agricultural projects for learning
- Single-sex classes in certain subjects
- STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Math)
- Events planning at Edna Manley College
Programme Resources & Documents
Baseline Study and School Intervention Strategy
Universalia Management Group | Comprehensive baseline study and intervention strategy aimed at addressing the underachievement of boys in Jamaica.
Harnessing our Human Resources - Stem the Waste
Overview of the Boys' Education Programme implementation, strategies, and outcomes.
Handbook of Strategies: Enabling Boys to Learn
Comprehensive guide for teachers with practical strategies for creating equity in teaching and learning for boys.
Boys' Education Report
Latest update on mentoring sessions, journal implementation, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Boys' Symposium 2022 Report
Report on the Boys' Symposium "Harnessing and Channeling the Potential of our Boys," including panel discussions and presentations.
Terms of Reference: Boys Education Symposium
TOR for the virtual Boys' Education Symposium themed "Harnessing and channeling the potential of our boys," outlining objectives, design, and expected outcomes.
A Training Resource Manual For Mentors
Comprehensive manual to empower teachers with the knowledge and competencies to become motivated, effective, and efficient mentors for the Boys' Education Programme.
Teaching To Reach Boys: Course Proposal
Proposal for a mixed-modality teacher development course (19 hours) exposing participants to instructional approaches that encourage boys to learn and build confidence.
Boys' Inner Circle Report
June 2022 update on the Quality Education Inner Circle (QEIC) peer mentorship programme across 26 high schools and 20 QECs, including selection status and plans moving forward.
Programme in Action
Mentoring Sessions
Adult mentors providing guidance and support to boys
Entrepreneurship in Action
Boys implementing their business plans with seed funding
Engaging Classroom Learning
Innovative teaching approaches for boys
National Boys' Forum
Boys sharing experiences with business leaders
Reflective Journaling
Boys using journals for self-reflection and goal setting
The Green Classroom
Using agriculture as a context for learning
Voices from the Programme
"Boys do not stay boys forever...they become men. Being a man is being mature, having maturity and being responsible. Men have values and attitudes and a mindset of dedication to family."
"I received great advice and learned to calmly approach life as I was learning new things. I found that I was now more focused and placed efforts in making goals and trying to accomplish them."
"The assignment undertaken as a mentor has helped me to become a better father. I see how far my mentee has come in expressing himself. Initially he was timid, but now he is confident."
Programme Outcomes & Impact
The Boys' Education Programme has shown promising results in improving educational outcomes for boys across Jamaica:
- Improvement in Grade 4 Literacy test results for boys from 64.7% in 2014 to 75.5% in 2017
- Increase in Language Arts scores from 55% in 2014 to 62% in 2018
- Rise in CSEC English A pass rates for boys from 77.5% in 2014 to 82.2% in 2018
- Growth in Information Technology pass rates from 76.7% in 2014 to 85.8% in 2018
- Marginal increase in male participation in tertiary institutions from 30.6% to 31.55%
- Establishment of 21 active "inner circles" for boys across the country
- Training of 101 boys as peer mentors, with 58 certified and pinned
CSEC English A Pass Rates for Boys (2014-2018)
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Join Us in Advancing Boys' Education
The success of the Boys' Education Programme depends on the collaboration of educators, parents, community leaders, and the private sector. Together, we can ensure that every boy in Jamaica has the opportunity to achieve his full potential.
Get Involved Today