The first phase of a project launched in 2007 by Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and UNESCO on train children in media literacy has now been completed. The project involves 910 students in 10 schools.
In 2007, the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and UNESCO joined together to launch a media literacy project geared toward children in primary schools in Jamaica. The project is supported by the Ministry of Education. The results of the findings and lessons learnt will soon be made available on the Caribbean Network of Information/Media Literacy Clubs website. The Joint Board of Teacher Education has completed testing of the project material in a pilot involving 910 students drawn from upper primary grades (4-6) and secondary grades (7-9) in 10 schools. Soon, the project details, recommendations and findings of the project would be available on the Caribbean Network of Information/Media Literacy Clubs website. School-based interpersonal communication, video and printed materials are at the centre of this effort to guide primary school students on how to approach radio and television content with a critical stance. During the initial pilot stage of the project, selected schools will receive a video recording and support materials – for grade 4 teachers. The course materials are designed to help teachers explain to children what types of programming are problematic and why, incorporating data from research conducted in Jamaica. Students who complete the course are also taught how to make informed choices about programming; this process involves using the Children's Code for Programming and rating designations as guidelines.
