The Advancing Childhood Education Programme

November 15, 2013

Jamalco’s Location

Jamalco

Alpart

WindalcoWindalco

Noranda

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Historical Highlights 1959 - Alcoa Minerals of Jamaica established 1963 - Bauxite mining commenced in Teak Pen, Clarendon 1971 - Bauxite Mining Commenced in Mocho, Clarendon 1972 - Start of production for 500,000 tonnes Alumina refinery,

Halse Hall, Clarendon 1976 - Jamalco Joint Venture (94%/6%) between Alcoa & the Gov.

Jamaica 1988 - Jamalco Joint Venture to 50/50 partnership: Alcoa & Gov.

Jamaica 1999 - Upgrade to 1 million tonne refinery 2002 - Expansion commenced for 1.25 million tonne/year 2004 - Completed expansion to 1.25 million tonne 2005 - Expansion commenced for EWP to 1.42 million tonnes/year 2007 – Commissioning of EWP(Early Work Program) 2009 – Commissioning the Mt. Oliphant mines and Ropecon

conveyor

Strong History of Corporate Social Responsibility

The most critical social factors in Jamalco’s host communities are:o High unemployment o Low skill and education levels.

Since its inception in 1998, the objectives of Jamalco’s Community Development Programme have included:o Continuously improving the value the company brings to its host

communities;o Fully engaging communities as part of the company’s development

agenda and in keeping with the Alcoa Community Framework. In 2008 the company re-structured its community development

strategy around six critical areas, using a mix of on-going programmes and new initiatives, to address these needs.

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Six critical pillars to community development

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Community Development

Strategy

Capacity Building- Scholarships- Career Enhancement- Mentorship- Jamalco in Schools- Documentation Skills

Alternative Economic Projects

- Entrepreneurship Project- Greenhouse Farming- Reclaimed Land for Agriculture - Forestry MOU

Civic Partnerships- 7 Community Councils- Business Leaders - Advisory Board- PDC/Civic BodiesCharity

2008-2010Contribution:

Sponsorships/Donation(US$1,187,885)

Volunteerism- Bravo!- ACTION- Month of Service- Labour Day

Social Renewal- Road Safety - Centers of Excellence- Sports Development- Community Beautification- Infrastructure Development

Reasons for ACEP The Advancing Childhood Education (ACE) Programme

was launched in 2012 in response to:o Low level of literacy and numeracy among children entering Grade

1 in Manchester & Clarendon as well as nationally. (results from 2009 Grade 1 Individual Learning Profile (G1ILP) .

o Of the 2009 cohort tested in Clarendon, some 42% were not reading at the required level while in Manchester the number was 33%.

o Early childhood/kindergarten sector is not organised nor well supported.

o The sector has evolved historically from community members/institutions offering this service.

o Many teachers are untrained and are deficient in their methodology and learning techniques.

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Reasons for ACEP

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ACEP’s Goal:oTo improve the level of literacy, numeracy and

general preparedness for learning among three to six year old children from selected ECIs in Jamalco’s operating areas in Clarendon and Manchester

Programme Description

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The ACEP Programme is being implemented over two years (2012-2014).

The programme may be extendend

depending on the results of the current phase.

The specific objective:o Provide additional training for teachers and

parents of students at 50 ECIs in Jamalco's operating areas in Clarendon and Manchester.

150 teachers receive training (75 per year) in: o Teaching of Literacy (Content and Methodology) o Teaching of Numeracy ( Content and

Methodology) o Teaching Children with Special Learning

needs (Human Exceptionalities)

o Child Development, Child Psychology and Behaviour Management

Programme Design

150 parents receiving training in parenting skills to better assist their children to develop good learning habits over 2 years.

Training offered at 3-4 locations in Clarendon and Manchester

ACEP parenting training session

Programme DesignClasses offered Saturday or Sunday

afternoons.Three groups – 2 in Clarendon , 1 in

Manchester.Teachers are evaluated via quizzes,

course work (group presentations, research etc.) and observation in the classroom.

Teachers who successfully complete programme receive credits towards degree at The Mico University.

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ECIs in Jamalco’s Operating Areas

1. Stewarton Basic2. Amity Hall Basic3. Ashley Infant4. Richmond Basic5. Rock Basic6. Mt. Airy Infant7. Mocho Infant8. Mocho Rd. Basic9. Brixton Hill Infant10. Goshen Basic11. Sheckles Basic12. Four Path Basic13. Belle Plain14. Harmons Basic15. Broadleaf Basic16. Ramble Basic17. St.Toolis Basic18. Reeveswood Basic19. St. Jago Basic20. Precious Jewel Basic

42 Hayes Newtown Phase 243 Raymonds 44 Annunciation45 Murray’s Early childhood46 Cornpiece SDA Basic School47 Savannah Basic School48 Mitchell Town49 Salt River50 Victoria Town Basic School51 Harding Basic School52 Pratville Primary & Infant School53 Campbell's Castle Basic School54 Farm Basic School55 Holy Cross Basic School56 Campbell's Castle SDA Preparatory

School57 Farm Primary & Infant School58  Mary Williams Basic School59 Alexander Basic School  

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21 Toll Gate Infant 22 Royal Flats Basic23 Porus Infant24 Porus Basic25 Rhymesbury26 Crooks Gate27 Parnassus 28 York Town United29 Brethren30 Howells Content31 Passisde32 Milk River (Clifton)33 St. Marks34 Gravel Hill35 White Road36 New Bowens37 Hayes 38 Hunts Pen39 Halse Hall40 Cornpiece Settlement41 Hayes Newtown Phase 1

Collaboration/Partnership

The Alcoa Foundation/Jamalco – Provided funding of US$180,000 over 2 years.

The United Way of Jamaica – administers the funds and monitors the programme.

The Mico University – Provides teacher training and evaluation.

The Early Childhood Commission – Mobilization of teachers, Parenting training.

Jamalco’s Community Relations Officers – assist with monitoring and providing feedback.

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Outcomes to Date Teacher Training

o 66 teachers completing training in Phase 1 (Duration: Jan. – Dec. 2013)

o 100 registered for phase 2 (Duration: Sept. 2013 – August 2014)

“The classes are going great and I am learning a lot. I attend the Foga Road class

and presently we are learning how to deal with special needs children who might

come into our care and I tell you, it is an eye-opener. I have done HEART Level 3 in

Early Childhood Education but this is taking me to another level.” Claudia Morant-Baker, Principal, Alexander ECI, St. Toolis, South Manchester.

Parenting Workshopso 79 parents trained in a series of 7 workshops organised by the ECC “The workshops have helped me a lot. I learn about how

a child’s brain develops. Dwayne kind of rough, but it help me to

manage him better.”  Johanna Pearson, mother of Dwayne who attends the Hayes Basic School in Hayes, Clarendon

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Recommendations Intensify training of teachers at the early childhood level so

that children at this level are given the best foundation for learning.

Re-double efforts to assist parents, giving them the tools to stimulate and support their children.

Ensure that teachers participating in programmes such as these share their knowledge with their colleagues.

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