Patree Haynes barely attended classes. She walked away with seven CSEC subjects, most at grade two. Donia Clarke learnt of the HSDE programme through a friend and gained seven CSEC subjects, two of them distinctions. These beacons of hope and exemplars of excellence are among those the HEART/NSTA Trust set out to celebrate this past week.
Haynes — who represented the highlands of Manchester and the plains of St. Elizabeth, Region 5 — earned her subjects thriving under the coaching and guidance of her instructors. Standing in the auditorium of the Garmex Academy, flanked by colourful yellow and royal blue booths and stacks of books, some from the JAMAL programme of the 1970s, she was asked what the programme had done for her. She passionately declared: “when you give a broken-winged person a wing to fly, they can fly, and they can achieve things more than what persons are expecting.”
That conviction ran through a series of events the Trust held from September 6 to 8, 2026, culminating in the flagship expo at the Garmex Academy, 76 Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guided by the 2026 theme, “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity,” the events showcased the talent, creativity and excellence of HEART/NSTA trainees from across the country.
Under the gaze of a stubborn Kingston sun, the expo featured several national showcases — a Regional Booth Competition, the HSDE Ambassador Competition and a Poster Competition — alongside trainee and stakeholder testimonials and a few special vocal performances.
The people behind Patree’s and Donia’s stories were the Trust’s Community and Special Intervention Training Department, purveyors of the High School Diploma Equivalency (HSDE) programme, who spearheaded the series — which began with a spirited church service at the Old Harbour Baptist Church.
The HSDE programme enables Jamaicans to put their resilience on display. Delivered across three tiers — Basic (Grades 1 to 6), Intermediate (Grades 7 to 9) and Proficiency (Grades 10 and 11) — it offers opportunities to those who believe that “circumstances don’t define their future.” Many enrol to add to or gain CSEC subjects, and they champion the programme’s flexibility, especially for working adults.
Speaking at the expo, Dr. Cheryl McLaughlin, Deputy Managing Director of the National Programmes Division (NTPD), gave that resilience its strategic frame. She told the audience that literacy lies at the heart of human development, serves as a catalyst for confidence, and is a sure pathway to realising one’s potential — the countless possibilities, in other words, that a single wing to fly can unlock.
Keisha McKenzie, Acting Director of the Learning Resources Department, echoed the note. “Literacy enables individuals to navigate the world with confidence, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said. “We want to promote a culture of reading among our trainees and provide a healthy and engaging learning experience for all.”