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Breaking the cycle of underperformance
🇯🇲 Jamaica /Culture & Society

Breaking the cycle of underperformance

From Jamaica Observer · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Jamaica's Ministry of Education implemented the National School Learning and Intervention Programme (NSLIP) in 2022 to address COVID-19 learning gaps.
  • The program targets 56 underperforming high schools, focusing on increased instructional time, improved leadership, and data-driven decisions.
  • Participating schools have shown significant improvements in CSEC English A and mathematics, with Edwin Allen High School seeing a dramatic rise in math pass rates.

Jamaica's Ministry of Education is reporting success with its National School Learning and Intervention Programme (NSLIP), a targeted initiative launched in 2022. The program aims to reverse underperformance in 56 high schools previously rated as unsatisfactory or in need of immediate support. It was developed to combat learning loss exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teachers used assessment data to identify priority content areas and adjusted instruction to meet students’ learning needs.

— Jermain HarrisPrincipal of Edwin Allen High School, describing the school's approach to improving mathematics performance.

The NSLIP employs a multi-faceted approach, emphasizing increased instructional time, strengthened leadership, data-driven decision-making, enhanced teacher support, improved student welfare, and robust monitoring systems. The goal is to achieve measurable gains quickly while fostering sustainable practices for long-term school improvement.

Early results from the 2025 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations are promising. All 56 NSLIP schools improved their English A pass rates, and 41 saw gains in mathematics. Edwin Allen High School in Clarendon, which previously struggled with a 25.4% math pass rate in 2024, dramatically improved to 74.1% in 2025 after implementing the program's interventions.

To increase students’ exposure to quality instruction, the school implemented an extensive programme of extended learning, which included morning intervention classes before the start of the regular school day, afternoon classes conducted after the scheduled timetable, Saturday mathematics classes, mathematics camps during school breaks, and mathematics marathons to provide intensive revision and examination preparation.

— Jermain HarrisPrincipal of Edwin Allen High School, detailing the extended learning initiatives implemented.

Principal Jermain Harris highlighted the collaborative effort and specific strategies employed at Edwin Allen. Teachers used assessment data to tailor instruction, and the school introduced extended learning opportunities. These included morning and afternoon classes, Saturday sessions, and mathematics camps and marathons designed for intensive revision and exam preparation. Harris stated these interventions allowed teachers to revisit difficult concepts and ensure curriculum alignment with the CSEC syllabus.

These interventions enabled teachers to revisit difficult concepts,

— Jermain HarrisPrincipal of Edwin Allen High School, explaining the benefits of the extended learning program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jamaica Observer. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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