Andrew Holness, Minister of Education-designate chats with Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd (left), CEO of the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF), and Audrey Hinchcliffe, president of the JEF, following yesterday's launch of the 'National Employers' Month' publication at JEF's conference room on Ruthven Road, New Kingston. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Andrew Holness, who will today be sworn in as Minister of Education, has said that early childhood education tops the list of priorities to be tackled under his leadership.

Mr. Holness was speaking yesterday at the launch of the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) 'National Employers' Month' publication at the organisation's Ruthven Road office in New Kingston.

He said that funding would be critical to expedite some already excellent measures currently on the books for the improvement of early-childhood education. Several initiatives have been introduced since the passage of the Early Childhood Act (2005) and the establishment of the Early Childhood Commission.

"We believe if we can get children properly stimulated from that early level, then when they get into the primary schools, they will develop their literacy skills, their numeracy skills and then that would prepare a very good foundation for high schools," Mr. Holness said.

He hopes that within five years there would be significant increases in the country's Caribbean Secondary Examination Council passes.

Among Mr. Holness' immediate targets is to equip each student throughout the educational system with a laptopcomputer. The minister said that within schools, the use of computer should be similar to that of pen and paper.

"We want to change people's view of technology, particularly their view of the computer. Many people see the computer as an appliance; we want them to see it as a tool," Mr. Holness said.