To address the challenging issues of anti-social behaviour in the society, the education transformation team officially launched its Citizenship Education Programme recently.

The programme, which started in 120 primary and high schools, is part of the behaviour change and community work stream, which seeks to address anti-social behaviour, disciplinary problems and attendance in schools, and foster increased stakeholder participation in education.

It will help to reduce indiscipline and inappropriate behaviour in schools; improve harmonious relations in whole school communities; and enhance relations between schools and the wider community.

Meanwhile, to address the shortage of space in schools, Cabinet approved the award of four contracts valued at more than $538 million to carry out upgrading and expansion works on four schools in St. Thomas, Westmoreland and St. James.

A contract valued at some $198.5 million was awarded for the construction of a two-storey building to replace the Springfield Primary School in St. James.

The St. Thomas High School will also benefit from expansion works with the awarding of a contract in the sum of $19.8 million. A contract was also awarded for the construction of three new classrooms at the Morant Bay High School in St. Thomas at a cost of $15.7 million.

A contract valued at $31 million was also awarded for the supply of computer equipment and software to the Jamaica Library Service and another valued at $15 million was awarded for expansion works at the St. Ann Parish Library.

Recently, the Education Minister announced that the majority of the 500 schools, which were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Dean in August, had been repaired by year end.

Most of the schools that were affected during the passage of the hurricane are located in region six, which comprises St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and St. Catherine and the cost of repairs was estimated at $700 million.