To enhance the quality of service delivery, the Ministry of Education has commenced a customer service training programme for its staff islandwide.

The programme, to be undertaken through the ministry's Professional Development Unit, was launched at the Overseas Examinations Commission, Cross Roads,St Andrew, yesterday.

The initiative, which commenced today with a workshop for a number of the stakeholders, is set to roll out fully within the next two weeks and will initially target the approximately 1,200 officers at the ministry's central and regional offices. Thereafter, it will be expanded to incorporate other ministry staff, including teachers.

quality

Explaining the rationale for the programme, permanent secretary in the ministry, Audrey Sewell, who represented portfolio minister, Andrew Holness, highlighted concerns which have resonated within the ministry regarding the quality of service extended to clients, both internally and externally.

"We have a very large client base and from time to time we get feedback from them about the quality of service that we are providing. We took a decision that we needed to look at our processes to ensure we are providing quality service to our clients. We believe, as employees in the public service, we have a responsibility to discharge our functions and our duties in a manner that would satisfy our clients. We think we are so morally obliged," the permanent secretary said.

"So we decided to go on a major initiative to ensure that persons are sensitised and reoriented to understand they have a responsibility to provide quality service to the public at large," she added.