On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL) successfully hosted the 3rd staging of its Leadership Day at the UWI Regional Headquarters – making it a major milestone as the first face-to-face execution of this esteemed event. Embracing the theme, ‘Situating Educational Leadership in National Development: Going Beyond Conversation to Implementation,’ the event provided a platform for educational and system leaders to engage in meaningful discussions and acquire actionable strategies to drive national development through effective leadership.
Engaging and Impactful Presentations and Activities
Leadership Day 2025 was dignified by esteemed cross-sectoral professionals and thought leaders who shared their expertise on various facets of leadership.
The keynote addresses were delivered by two esteemed leaders in the education sector. The morning keynote address was delivered by Dr Adrian Stokes, Chair of the Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC), who challenged his audience to transition from theoretical discussions to practical implementations that effect tangible improvements in the education system, while referencing our Singapore and Denmark counterpart.
Prof. Andrew Spencer, President of the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), delivering the afternoon keynote address, highlighted the necessity of adaptive strategies to navigate the evolving educational landscape and encouraged leaders to be A.C.T.I.V.E. – Align, Collaborate, Transform, Innovate, Validate and Engage.
The event also featured the Leadership EmpowerMENt panel, one of NCEL’s newly launched initiatives. This engaging discussion included distinguished panellists, Dr Christopher Clarke, retired principal of Shortwood Teachers’ College; Dr Darien Henry, Principal of Montego Bay Community College; Sgt. Novar Bell, Vice Principal of the Cadet Academy at the National Police College of Jamaicaand Mr Keriffe Clark, Director/Principal of the NCEL. The discussion was moderated by Mr Javaughn Keyes. The panel explored resilience, strategic leadership initiatives that focus on filling the gaps in boys’ education and the three pillars of the Leadership EmpowerMENt initiative: Mentorship, Empowerment and Networking.
A riveting debate session was facilitated by the Jamaica Association for Debate Empowerment (JADE), led by Mr Germaine Barrett. The teams, UTECH and UWI, engaged in rigorous discourse on the moot, “This House believes that professional development for school administrators is more important than curriculum reform in achieving national development goals.” They both demonstrated exceptional analytical skills, fostering a culture of critical thinking among the attendees.
Exciting Announcements and New Leadership Products and Initiatives
A significant highlight of the day was the college’s unveiling of seven new leadership products and initiatives aimed at bolstering the capacities of educational leaders. This momentous occasion was led by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), Dr Kasan Troupe, and Director/Principal of NCEL, Mr Keriffe Clark. These new leadership products and initiatives include:
- Leadership EmpowerMENt
- Financial Leadership and Management in Schools (FLMS)
- Introduction to School and System Leadership (ISSL)
- Leadership in Action: A Practical Guide to Transforming Schools
- Leadership 360
- Leadership Footprints
- QA Connect
Concurrent Sessions: Specialised Learning Opportunities
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a series of concurrent sessions led by researchers, practitioners and other interest groups and experts. Participants were exposed to a wide variety of topics, including innovative best practices in leadership across various educational levels and system-wide implementation strategies aimed at improving student outcomes.
Key Takeaways and Call to Action
- Leadership is Action-oriented: The central theme reinforced the need to move beyond discussions and actively implement strategies that will drive transformation.
- Collaboration Leadership: Strong partnerships among institutions, stakeholders and leaders are essential in fostering sustainable national development.
- Investment in Professional Development: Equipping leaders with the right resources, skills and knowledge can create long-lasting positive change in education and beyond.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
Leadership Day 2025 would not have been as successful as it was without the generous support of our sponsors and partners. Special thanks to FESCO, HEART NSTA Trust, EMKAY Sports and Trophies, Iconic Travel Group, JADE, UWI Regional Headquarters, LASCO, GraceKennedy Ltd., e-learning Jamaica, and TIP Friendly Society. Your contributions played a vital role in making this event a success.
As we reflect on the success of Leadership Day 2025, we encourage all who attended, whether virtually or in-person, to continue the conversation, implement their learnings and remain committed to fostering leadership excellence.
#LeadershipDay2025 #NCEL #BuildingCapacity #BeyondConversation #ActionForChange
