Students

The Programme for Adolescent Mothers proposes to help you continue your education while you are pregnant, and have you reintegrated into the formal school system at the appropriate time. The centre provides you with a nursery and professional caregivers for the care of the baby while you attend classes. Please take your baby to this nursery at least once per month.

The CSEC programme is facilitated by the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF). In order to be included in the programme you must have completed grade 10, and meet at least TWO of the requirements listed below:

  1. Have been recommended to sit CSEC by previous school.
  2. Be willing to sit minimum of 3 subjects in one sitting.
  3. Successfully complete the immersion phase of programme in September of each year.

Subjects Offered

The subjects currently being offered are as follows:

  • Mathematics
  • English
  • Social Studies
  • Office Administration
  • Principles of Business
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Home Management
  • Human and Social Biology
  • Information Technology

Affiliated Costs

Students are expected to pay for the following:

  • School fee $8000
  • Transportation fare
  • Exam fees (speak with your Centre Manager to ascertain cost)
  • Practical assessments (Home Economics subjects)
  • Stationary items (SBA printing, photocopying, file jackets etc.)
  • Textbooks and Resource Materials

Lunch is provided for students each school day and there is a nursery available for the student’s babies – both of which are at no cost.

CSEC Marathon Camps are crucial study sessions in which all participants of the programme meet at 42 Trafalgar Road and review information together. All students are expected to attend, as it provides the opportunity to meet teachers face-to-face and participate in peer interface.

Parent or guardian to attend the intake interview

  • 2 passport size photographs
  • Registration fee of $4,000 *subject to change
  • Birth certificate

Consent to school policy

White button-down collar top & dark blue elastic waist, knee high skirt

  • All students must produce two passport size pictures, birth certificate (original and copy), and her last school report upon admission or as soon as possible thereafter.
  • Every effort should be made to pay the registration fee.
  • Each student is required to attend classes Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except for CXC students who are expected to attend five (5) days weekly: Mondays through Fridays.
  • Students must be punctual. Devotion starts at 9:00 am daily and, if for any reason a student is late, an explanation must be given.
  • Devotion is compulsory, and if for any reason a student will not participate, a written notice should be submitted upon admission.
  • Students must be well groomed at all times. Students are expected to wear the prescribed uniform.
  • Drastic color braids/hair extensions, and nail polish are prohibited.
  • Wearing of excessive jewelry is not allowed. Students may wear one pair of sleepers or knobs, and a watch. Body rings and anklets are not allowed.
  • The Centre should be informed when a student will be absent. Where this in not possible, a written explanation should be submitted by the parent / guardian.
  • Students are required to inform counselors regarding their clinic days at least one day before the date.
  • Students are not allowed to leave the compound without the permission of a senior member of staff.
  • No selling or gambling on compound.
  • There is to be no borrowing or lending of money or personal items. “Neither a borrower nor lender be.”
  • Students will be encouraged to accept a Family Planning method before they return to school.
  • Money and other valuables should be kept on your person. The Centre will not accept responsibility for any loss or theft.
  • Cellular telephones are not allowed at the Centre. These will be confiscated if found, and will only be returned at the end of the term.
  • Students are expected to display good manners to both staff and students at all times.
  • “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. All students will participate in the clean-up activities of the Centre. A duty list will be placed and should be honored.
  • “Out of bounds” areas are: secretary’s office; kitchen (except when on duty); watchman/caretakers quarters; the nursery (except when babies are to be fed).
  • Disciplinary actions (suspension or expulsion) will be taken against students who are found in possession of a weapon; engaged in fights or disruptive behavior; are in breach of the rules.

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO…

  • Register at the nearest health clinic.
  • Keep your clinic appointments.
  • Eat balanced meals with fruits and vegetables for an adequate supply of the nutrients needed for both mother and baby.
  • Exercise and rest properly, with at least 8 hours sleep per night.
  • Make preparations for the arrival of the baby.

IMPORTANCE OF PRE-NATAL CARE

Your visits to the health centre will allow the doctors and nurses to:

  • Do a baseline check of your blood, urine, blood pressure, and weight.
  • Monitor the progress of your pregnancy in order to ensure maternal health and normal development of your baby.
  • Detect any complications.
  • Prepare you for a safe delivery.
  • Respond to your questions and concerns regarding the pregnancy.
  • Give useful advice on general health matters.
  • Refer you to the hospital for booking, and provide the hospital with your health records.

YOUR BASIC HOSPITAL CHECKLIST

  • Items for the baby (shirt, diapers, blankets)
  • Items for the mother (nighties, slippers, toiletries (bath soap, wash rag, towels, lotion, alcohol,sanitary napkins, etc.)

NB:  (1) The list may vary in accordance with the list supplied by each hospital.

(2) Please take your clinic card with you at all times.

SIGNS OF LABOUR

  • Vaginal discharge (may include blood clotting).
  • Several soft bowel movements.
  • Pressure in the region of the lower abdomen.
  • Pain that begins in your lower back and moves around to your belly.
  • Water breakage – the fluid surrounding the baby leaks out.
  • Strong, regular uterine contractions that last longer and come closer together.

NB: These signs may not come in the order stated above.  Also, you may not see all the signs mentioned.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN LABOUR

  • Alert your parent/guardian (or counselor if you are at the centre.)
  • Do not eat a heavy meal.
  • Take deep breaths.
  • Go to the hospital.

IMPORTANCE OF POST-NATAL CARE

Every mother is asked to return to the postnatal clinic six (6) weeks after the birth of the baby.  This is important for both mother and baby in order to:

  • Check mother’s general physical and emotional health.
  • Ensure that the uterus (womb) has returned to normal.
  • Do a pap smear (test for cervical cancer).
  • Receive advice on care of baby: feeding, developmental milestones, etc.
  • Immunize the baby
  • Receive a family planning method

NB: You must return to the centre with your baby, four (4) weeks after normal delivery, or as soon as your doctor recommends.