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Waterford Primary sees major gains through passion, patience and NSLIP support
🇯🇲 Jamaica /Culture & Society

Waterford Primary sees major gains through passion, patience and NSLIP support

From Jamaica Observer · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Waterford Primary School is improving student academic outcomes through the National School Learning and Intervention Programme (NSLIP), introduced in 2022 by Jamaica's Ministry of Education.
  • The program targets schools previously rated unsatisfactory, focusing on extended learning, teacher support, and performance tracking to address learning gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Waterford Primary has seen significant gains, with high percentages of students achieving proficient marks in math and language arts, and a notable reduction in beginner grades.

Waterford Primary School in St. Catherine, Jamaica, is achieving notable academic improvements through a combination of dedicated teaching and support from the National School Learning and Intervention Programme (NSLIP). Principal Nicola Grizelle emphasizes the necessity of "passion and patience" for educators working with students facing learning challenges.

You must have passion and patience, as without these qualities you’re setting up yourself for failure. You have to genuinely want to help them because the children can feel when someone is around with a passion for them to learn – and at that time it is easier to execute any intervention plan.

— Nicola GrizellePrincipal Grizelle explains the essential qualities for teachers working with students facing learning difficulties.

The NSLIP, launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, aims to address learning deficits resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program supports 189 primary and 56 high schools that were previously identified as needing immediate intervention.

the challenge was to fix their minds.

— Nicola GrizellePrincipal Grizelle describes the initial task upon assuming her role in 2020.

Student achievement data at Waterford Primary reflects the program's success. This year, 89% of girls achieved proficient or highly proficient marks in math and 78% in language arts on the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam. Among boys, 75% reached the same proficiency in math, and 58% in language arts. Crucially, no students scored at the beginner level in math, and only one student received that mark in language arts.

so I had to walk the scheme, listening to their grouses, and shared the plans of my staff and myself to turn things around.

— Nicola GrizellePrincipal Grizelle recounts her efforts to address parental concerns and build trust in the community.

Principal Grizelle also highlighted her efforts to address parental concerns and student engagement upon becoming principal in 2020. She engaged with parents, shared the school's turnaround plans, and facilitated in-person learning for PEP students during the pandemic, recognizing that many lacked access to laptops for online classes. The school's physical environment also received an upgrade.

because many of them had no laptop for online classes.

— Nicola GrizellePrincipal Grizelle explains the rationale for providing in-person learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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