Marcus Garvey syllabus for secondary schools to be launched today

Anastasia Cunningham, News Coordinator

The Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) said they welcomed the announcement that a formal curriculum on the teachings and philosophies of Jamaica's first national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey would be launched today, which would standardise the syllabus that was already a part of the secondary school system, and put in effect for the new academic year.

Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites had announced that the ‘Civics and Garvey programme’ teacher’s manual for secondary schools, developed by a team headed by Amina Blackwood-Meeks, would be launched on Marcus Garvey Day.

“This will be a comprehensive programme which will engage teachers at all levels from grade one to eleven and which involves heavily, appropriately heavily, the teachings and philosophy of Marcus Mosiah Garvey,” said Thwaites.

“The material, which will include DVDs, CDs and printed material, will be available to the teachers in every school in Jamaica, and at least two teachers in every school will be responsible for the pedagogy in this area.”

Yesterday, Paul Adams, president of the JTA, told The Gleaner that Garveyism had always been taught in schools but without a formal curriculum.

“This manual will now provide a better clarity as to the specific objectives and indicate specific content around the different areas of philosophies,” said Adams.

“This now will not only make it more formal in the education system, but also heighten the level awareness of our history and culture.”

Today is being celebrated as Marcus Garvey Day, in honour of his 125th birthday.

anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com