On July 23, 2026, the Ministry of Education, Skills and Youth Initiatives (MOESYI) announced the dissolution of the National Literacy and National Mathematics Teams. This decision threatens one of Jamaica's most important systems for improving teaching and learning.

For more than 18 years, these teams have worked with teachers, school leaders, and students across the island. They have developed teaching resources, trained thousands of educators, supported struggling schools, analysed national assessment data, and helped implement major education reforms, including the Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

Their work has helped Jamaica make measurable progress. In PEP Mathematics, the percentage of students meeting the expected standard increased from 41% in 2019 to 69% in 2026. In Language Arts, it increased from 55% to 72% over the same period. That means 28 more children out of every 100 are meeting the mathematics standard and 17 more out of every 100 are meeting the language standard today than when PEP began.

These gains did not happen by accident. They are the result of years of hard work by teachers, school leaders, students, parents, and the national support teams working together.

Removing these teams now risks slowing the progress Jamaica has fought so hard to achieve. At a time when our country is working to raise literacy, numeracy, and STEM achievement, we should be strengthening the systems that support schools,not dismantling them.

We respectfully urge the Government of Jamaica and the Ministry of Education, Skills and Youth Initiatives to reconsider this decision and preserve the National Literacy and National Mathematics Teams.

Sign this petition today. Together, we can protect the progress Jamaica has made and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.