From the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education.

Extended after school programme continues to benefit students in Cayman Islands

The Ministry of Education’s Extended After School Programme (EASP) has been in operation since 2011 with the aim of reducing opportunities for students to adopt at-risk behaviours. The EASP has grown significantly since its inception and now operates at seven Government School sites on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.

On Grand Cayman the programme is hosted at Red Bay Primary, Edna M. Moyle Primary, George Town Primary, Sir John A. Cumber Primary, Clifton Hunter High School and John Gray High School. On Cayman Brac the EASP is hosted at Layman E. Scott Snr. High School for both Primary and High School students.

The programme serves approximately 1500 students and offers a range of activities such as agriculture, arts and crafts, automotive, basketball, boxing, computer club, dance club, drama club, football, gardening, gym, heritage arts, heritage drumming, homework, homework and tutoring (high schools), judo, learn to dive, math revision, music, netball, performing arts, reading, science mania, skate club, spelling, steel pan, swimming, video games, track and field, and table tennis.

The programme provides a safe, fun and productive environment for students after school until parents finish work and the programme is open to all students in the Government Education System.

For the start of the 2015/2016 academic year, the Ministry of Education is delighted to report that the YMCA of the Cayman Islands will be partnering with us to implement and manage the EASP after providing a successful proposal as a result of a competitive tendering process. The YMCA is a non-profit, charitable organisation that was officially established in the Cayman Islands in 2012 as the newest member of the World Alliance of YMCAs, present in 119 countries.

The Ministry would also like to express its appreciation for the important contribution made by the Cayman Outreach Association (COA) for previously managing the EASP and in helping to develop the programme since its inception. The COA is a non-profit organisation established in 2004 which promotes and spearheads community unity under the mottos ‘promoting Christian unity’ and ‘lighthouse for nations’. In addition to development and participation in community-based projects the organisation regularly partners with Churches and other organisations to offer seminars and conferences relevant to the community at large.

The Ministry of Education looks forward to the continued success and growth of the EASP as it benefits our students and the wider community of the Cayman Islands.