The Building Out Our STEM Teachers (BOOST) Programme, an initiative dedicated to advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education throughout Jamaica has had a remarkable impact on STEM education in Jamaica. So much so that Professor Michael Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies has called for it to be a national Programme.

A BOOST Networking Luncheon held on March 27, 2024, at the Regional Headquarters of The University of The West Indies, highlighted how the programme is driving positive changes in STEM education at the secondary level. The luncheon provided a forum for attendees to hear first-hand testimonials from school representatives about how BOOST is impacting Jamaican schools at all grade levels and contributing to the professional growth of the Fellows.

Reflecting on the impact of BOOST, Professor Taylor remarked, "BOOST was a bold experiment that has yielded results far exceeding initial expectations. We are therefore calling for a national dialogue on how BOOST can be tweaked to provide access to tertiary education for all qualified secondary students in exchange for three years of national service on completion. BOOST is a win-win for everyone involved. It’s time for BOOST to be a national Programme."

The Programme boasts with 41 Fellows (BOOST participants) who continue to impact more than 15,800 students across 33 schools in eight parishes in its 3 years of existence. A further 15 Fellows will enter Jamaican classrooms in the new school year even as the government struggles to implement new schemes to retain or hire new teachers.

In his keynote address, Dr. Adrian Stokes, Chairman of the Education Transformation Oversight Committee which is tasked with implementing the recommendations from the Patterson Report, underscored the significance of collaboration in driving educational advancement. He also emphasized BOOST’s contributions to the national transformation efforts, stating that it has become "a critical component of the efforts to fundamentally transform education outcomes in Jamaica."

For his part, Professor Densil A. Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI, Mona, described BOOST as a ‘value-added programme’ highlighting its importance in shaping the future of education in Jamaica.

Roland Tate, BOOST fellow at Clarendon College was recognised for his exceptional performance as one of his students secured the prestigious rank of number 1 in Jamaica for his CXC CAPE Chemistry Unit 2 examination for the 2022/2023 sitting. Additionally, Tavia Sutherland, BOOST Fellow at Convent of Mercy Academy, Alpha, was commended for her exceptional work teaching Tourism at the CAPE Level, with eight of her students achieving merit status in the 2023 examinations. Other Fellows recognized for copping Teacher of the Year/Quarter and Outstanding Science Teacher awards were: Throne Maxam from Wolmer's Boys School; Shanique Graham from Clan Carthy High School; and Clayton Mitchell from Irwin High.

Further, Romell Messam from Merl Grove High School was acknowledged for receiving a Letter of Commendation for “Outstanding performance and dedication in representation your school”.

Leshaine Dixon, an actuarial science graduate who is completing her three years as a BOOST Fellow and Mathematics Teacher at Spanish Town High, expressed gratitude for the programme's impact stating, "The fact that my student loan is almost paid off in less than three years is a tremendous blessing, one that I will always be grateful for.  Speaking on behalf of the first cohort of BOOST Fellows, some of us have discovered new talents and passions, and even as some of us conclude our stint, others are eager to continue their journey in the classroom, a true blessing for Jamaica, land we love."

Also in attendance were representatives from BOOST's partners demonstrating their collective commitment to improving education in Jamaica. BOOST was conceptualized by the Faculties of Science and Technology and Humanities and Education at The UWI, Mona and continues to receive invaluable support from its partners, including the National Baking Company Foundation (main sponsors), The Ministry of Education and Youth, Mico University College, Digicel Foundation, Jamaica Teaching Council, National Education Inspectorate, American Friends of Jamaica, National Commercial Bank Foundation, Chemical Medical Science Solution, and the Elisha and Winnifred Ebanks Fellowship.