Research on boys’ disengagement from education indicates that “complex factors exacerbate constraints on boys’” education and lead to and reinforce poor educational outcomes (UNESCO, 2022). To help increase positive outcomes for boys in education, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) partnered with the Jamaican Teachers Council (JTC) on a programme to improve boys’ participation in education. The Boys’ Education Empowerment Project (BEEP) included training on business and entrepreneurship.

COL Gender Adviser Ms Mig Alphonso, JTC CEO Dr Winsome Gordon and the BEEP team held a focus group with boys (ages 14-21), teachers, parents and representatives from the Ministry of Education to get a better understanding of the programme’s impacts on boys’ learning outcomes.

A visit was organised with the Honourable Fayval Williams, Minister of Education and Youth, Jamaica to meet with some of the focus group participants. The visit entailed a brief overview by COL on collaboration activities, boys’ presentations on their backgrounds, experience with the programme and what they would like to see for their future education.

Teachers also presented on some of the strengths and challenges with the COL-JTC programme. One of the strengths highlighted by the boys was the positive results of the level of engagement and attitudes of teachers in the classroom. Some of the recommendations for COL support included:

• Assistance with a system on how to better track teachers and online/technology training.
• Monitoring and evaluating boys’ business creation and future educational outcomes.
• Additional programming with funds for boys’ business growth and sustainability.

Ms Alphonso commented: “Speaking to programme participants is crucial for creating gender-responsive targeted action. One of the positive results noted by boys themselves was increased confidence, which was evident in their presentations to the Minister.”