Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Holness

Spanish Town, St. Catherine:

Minister of Education Andrew Holness said the shift system has not worked to the benefit of the education system and is planning to have it removed over a five-year period.

The minister, who was speaking at the Braeton Primary and Junior High School recently, said that over the next five years, the plan is to build 100 schools, from a US$100 million fund that is to be established by members of the diaspora.

"For too long, persons in the diaspora could not have their level of philanthropy go to a specific mission. That must be changed," Holness insisted.

The minister said a national education trust would be established and would be used to coordinate the efforts of persons in the diaspora and locally, who want to contribute to the education system.

Progress made

He indicated that progress in establishing the trust had been made as he had met with some of the major players who expressed a willingness to assist their alma maters, as well as other schools.

Braeton Primary and Junior High School was the recipient of a new computer lab valued at $5 million, acquired under the Reform of Secondary Education Programme, was opened. The lab was outfitted with 17 new computers and six new classrooms were built.