Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

HOLNESS

Minister of Education Andrew Holness has his work cut out for him as he embarks upon a new career path as the head of one of Jamaica's most important government portfolios.

For his first 100 days in office the Education Minister has several areas he wants to address.

"I don't have a minister of state so it is critical I get advisors who are recognised and knowledgeable in their fields. So, I have decided to get two advisors who will deal with the education aspect and one who will deal with the personnel aspect," Mr. Holness told The Gleaner yesterday.

Accountability, he said, will be an important part of his ministry.

"We have already notified most of the staff that they will be held accountable; we are not going to depend on the press to shine the light on us; we are going to shine the light on ourselves. That's the only way to ensure performance," he said.

Equity

Mr. Holness noted that equity in education was also a major area that he intended to tackle.

"One of the things we want to achieve in terms of equity is to see more of the newly upgraded high schools transition to the level of traditional high schools, and so, whatever it takes to get that done we are going to be looking at that. So we are going to start that process in the first 100 days,' the 35-year-old Education Minister said.

As it relates to the transformation of the education system, which is already under way, Mr. Holness said he would be presenting the benefit of transformation during his first 100 days in office. He noted that funding for the transformation of the system was also an area that he would be looking at.

"We are going to start to elevate the whole business of parenting in education. We are going to have a parenting campaign. We are going to start educating parents about the importance of parenting in the education sector," he said.

Mr. Holness said one of the changes he hoped to implement was a parenting sub-committee in the early childhood commission.

"And we might very well form a parenting commission itself that will deal with all the various facets that are already in the ministry, together under one body to push the idea that parents are responsible for their children and their education," said Mr. Holness.

He also noted that, in the long term, truancy was another area which would be addressed.

"That is holding parents accountable for their children," he said.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Some facts about Andrew Holness

Born: July, 22, 1972

Family: Married, with two children

Education: University of the West Indies and St. Catherine High School

Professional Achievements:

1996-2000: Premium Group of Company's special assistant to Edward Seaga

1994-1996: Executive Director, Voluntary Organi-sation for Uplifting Children

1997- present: Member of Parliament, West Central St. Andrew

1999- 2002: Opposition Spokesperson Land and Development

2002- May 2005: Opposition Spokesperson Housing

June 2005-July 2007: Opposition Spokesperson Education