Smooth start
Morris Dixon: Early funding, engaged fathers boost back-to-school success
Published:Tuesday | September 2, 2025 | 12:12 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon has praised the smooth start to the new academic year, citing early disbursement of funds and strong parental turnout – particularly from fathers – as encouraging signs of progress in Jamaica’s education system.
Speaking yesterday at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) press conference, Morris Dixon said she visited several schools across the island to witness the first day of orientation and was impressed by the level of preparation and engagement on display.
“Over the past several years, we have been distributing [funds to schools] much earlier. In the past, you would hear [during] the first week of school, those complaints about schools not getting their funds. That’s no longer a feature,” Morris Dixon said.
‘A fantastic job’
Morris Dixon said a lot of work was done to prepare the schools for opening.
“Those that I visited did a fantastic job opening up their schools,” said the minister.
One moment that stood out for her was the high number of fathers present at orientation sessions, particularly at the primary level.
“Our fathers were out, especially at the primary level, and I had to comment on it because, usually, you see mostly mothers out. But there were, in one class that I went to, there were more fathers there than mothers, which is what we want to see in our country, and I’m seeing that feeling of Jamaica looking different than it did many years ago,” Morris Dixon said.
Turning to policy, Morris Dixon emphasised the centrality of education in the JLP’s vision for national development, announcing that the party has released a standalone education manifesto.
“This is really, really important. This is a commitment to Jamaica. We are saying to Jamaica that we understand that every single child has beautiful potential and it is our role, our responsibility, to unleash that,” Morris Dixon said.
The manifesto outlines key priorities, including raising the performance levels of boys to match those of girls, improving teacher welfare, eradicating termite infestations in schools, and upgrading technical high school laboratories. Special emphasis will also be placed on literacy and expanding support for children with special needs.
“We are not just talking. We don’t [just] talk in the Jamaica Labour Party, we actually do things,” Morris Dixon said.