The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, was selected to collaborate with the Ministry of Education, through the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL), to implement an innovative programme to provide training for aspiring principals, under the Principals’ Professional Qualifications Programme. The focus of the programme was on effective school leadership and management.

Participants came from primary, secondary, tertiary and special educational institutions from across Jamaica: 24 participants received face-to-face training at The UWI Mona Campus in Kingston and 14 participants received face-to-face training at The UWI Mona Western Jamaica Campus in Montego Bay. Participants also interacted online.

The project combined the resources and experiences of persons in the education and management disciplines at The UWI to respond to a national developmental need to train aspiring principals. It provided an opportunity to integrate UWI’s rich human resources, experience in providing technical assistance to local and international agencies, access to a network of service delivery sites, capability in the development of educational materials and standards, and management of education projects that are beneficial to Jamaica and the wider region.