Who is the Minister of Education in Jamaica?

Who is the Minister of Education in Jamaica? | Fayval Williams

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Education is a key part of our Jamaican society as it is for most countries across the globe. Of course, there are ministries put in place to oversee the education system. In Jamaica, that is the Ministry of Education and Youth and at the helm currently, is Fayval Williams. 

As the leader of the Ministry of Education and Youth, she is responsible for overseeing its principal functions and objectives and effectively governing the educational system, the ministry's divisions and organizations and performing activities on its behalf. They include the following:

• putting together, developing, and implementing educational policies and initiatives
• To meet local demand and adhere to international standards, monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of projects and programs with local and international funding is necessary.
• Have a working system in place for accumulating, consolidating, analyzing, and presenting precise, up-to-date data on quantifiable educational indicators.
• establishing and advancing projects, services, and initiatives that advance societal and individual progress
• providing financial management advice to all educational institutions and related organizations.

Background

Fayval Shirley Williams, was born on May 28, 1958. She began working as a teller at the Bank of Nova Scotia in Kingston shortly after graduating from high school which she did for three (3) years before departing to attend college in the United States of America. She graduated from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Finance. Williams also has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Political Journey

Her journey into politics and public service is characterized by a track record of excellence. Before assuming the role of Minister of Education and Youth, she served in various ministerial positions, gaining invaluable experience and insights that she would later bring to the education sector.

1. On March 10, 2016, she took her oath of office in the House of Representatives for the first time. After organizing the constituency in early 2014, she was appointed caretaker for the St. Andrew Eastern constituency on March 23, 2015, by Jamaica Labour Party leader Andrew Holness.
   
   
2. She then joined Audley Shaw and Rudyard Spencer in the Ministry of Finance as a State Minister on March 7, 2016. Fiscal policy was only one of the duties within her portfolio at that time. Williams joined Dr Nigel Clarke as a full minister in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on March 23, 2018, when Prime Minister Andrew Holness reorganized the Cabinet.
   
   
3. On February 14, 2019, Prime Minister Andrew Holness named Williams to the position of minister of science, energy, and technology. After Dr Andrew Wheatley's resignation, he managed the portfolio for six months before she took over.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information

During the COVID-19 epidemic, Williams was appointed the minister within the ministry. Schools in Jamaica were shuttered for a significant portion of 2020, and instruction took place online.

She oversaw a pilot program in which 17 public schools resumed in-person instruction. Her ministry established measures to give tablets and computers to kids in need as part of the government's response to COVID-19. These initiatives sought to close the digital gap and guarantee that all students have access to the resources needed to engage in online learning. 

Thus far, Williams has shown that she understands the significance of technology in modern education, and she has advocated for the integration of digital tools and resources in Jamaican classrooms. Her initiatives have aimed to create a tech-savvy generation equipped to thrive in the digital age. From introducing coding programs to providing schools with the necessary infrastructure, her efforts reflect a forward-looking approach to education.

Her commitment to transforming education, embracing digital innovation, and empowering Jamaica's youth is a testament to her strategic thinking and tireless efforts. Through collaboration and an unwavering focus on inclusivity, she has positioned herself as a catalyst for progress in Jamaica's ongoing journey toward excellence in education and holistic youth development.

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References & Sources For Who is the Minister of Education in Jamaica

1. Fayval Williams – Office of the Prime Minister. (n.d.). https://opm.gov.jm/cabinet_ministers/fayval-williams/
2. Fayval Williams. (2023, August 12). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fayval_Williams

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