Principal of St. Mary Technical High School, Orville Richards, has hailed the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information for its role in establishing a state-of-the-art Innovation Hub for Electrical and Renewable Energy at the institution.
Mr. Richards said the hub is a significant step in the school’s journey to becoming the premier technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution in Jamaica.
“This Innovation Hub stands at the intersection of education, innovation, sustainability, and national development. It is symbolic because it comes at a time when we are trying to create climate resilience, digital systems, and maximise the use of smart technologies. These are no longer optional; they are now essential,” he stated.
Mr. Richards further noted that the hub was “more than an investment. It’s a statement of belief. It’s a belief that technical education matters, and most importantly, it is a belief that our students are worth investing in at the highest level”.
The facility, which officially opened on February 6, was completed under the Ministry’s TVET Expansion Plan at a cost of $20 million.
Mr. Richards underscored that the school’s academic performance reflects the impact of this investment and its strong focus on both technical and traditional subject areas.
“In 2025… our overall CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) pass rate [was] 70 per cent, which we moved from 59 per cent in 2024. We currently boast about 10 CSEC areas that we have a perfect 100 per cent pass rate in,” he noted.
He pointed out that subjects under the Industrial Arts umbrella, including Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology and Technical Drawing, all recorded 100 per cent pass rates.
Traditional subject areas, such as Geography, Physics and Chemistry, improved by as much as 40 per cent.
“When students exit this school, they are employable, ready and certified to go out there in the world of work,” Mr. Richards stated.
He further indicated that the Business and IT (Information technology) Department achieved a 96 per cent success rate at CSEC, while Industrial Arts, Home Economics, Visual Arts, Physical Education and Sport recorded 100 per cent pass rates. English Language stands at the regional average of 79 per cent.
The school also offers strong certification-based programmes, including Cosmetology, IT Office Skills, Food and Beverage, Renewable Energy Level 2, Electrical Installation, Welding, General Construction, Housekeeping and Furniture Making. Hospitality and Tourism Management was recently added as a dual-certification programme.
Mr. Richards emphasised that the school’s continued success, particularly with the addition of the Innovation Hub, is rooted in collaboration.
“What makes this moment powerful is not the equipment; it’s not the wiring or the technology. It is who we are becoming together. Our slogan ‘One Technical’ is not a tagline; it’s a philosophy,” he said.
“One Technical means electricians collaborate with engineers. It means IT works alongside agriculture students on aquaponics, hydroponics, and solar systems. It means business students help commercialise innovation. It means teachers share departmental expertise and students learn that no great solution is created in isolation,” he added.
