Some 500 educators are expected to receive training under the Nurturing Early Scientific Thinking (NEST) Programme during the 2026/27 academic year.
Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, made the disclosure during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, September 9.
The initiative will be implemented islandwide through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) and the Scientific Research Council (SRC).
Wheatley said the programme will begin with 50 ECC master trainers, who will be equipped to train another 500 educators in teaching science at the early childhood level.
He said the initiative could ultimately reach approximately 10,000 Jamaican children in a single school year, as the trained educators pass on their knowledge to students.
The CHASE Fund is providing $50 million for advanced Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) kits and related resources.
Wheatley said the agreement establishes clear roles, training requirements, quality assurance measures and continuity for the programme.
The NEST Programme is designed to introduce science concepts to children at the early childhood level and strengthen scientific thinking from an early age.






