Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (Canada)
The Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (Canada) (P.A.C.E. Canada) is a federally registered nonprofit organization (registration number 861909356RR0001) established in 1987 by Dr. Mavis Burke, Ph.D., O.ONT., to enhance early childhood education opportunities for socio-economically disadvantaged children in Jamaica and Canada. The organization focuses on children aged 3–6 years by providing educational resources, nutritional support, and technology-driven learning tools.

History

Founded as Women for PACE Canada in response to former Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga’s call for international assistance to community-based preschools (referred to as "basic schools" in Jamaica), the organization expanded its scope to include Canadian programs over time. It was later renamed P.A.C.E. Canada and operates under the auspices of the Jamaican High Commissioner to Canada.

Programs and Initiatives

P.A.C.E. Canada supports over 500 early childhood institutions in Jamaica and awards annual bursaries to Early Childhood Education (ECE) students at George Brown College in Ontario. Key initiatives include:

• Technology Integration: Distribution of OneTab tablets preloaded with literacy and numeracy software to 340 Jamaican early childhood institutions, a collaboration with Jamaica’s National Education Trust (NET) and Early Childhood Commission (ECC)[5].
• Disaster Relief: Funding for schools affected by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Beryl[2].
• Scholarships: D.R.B. Grant Scholarships for Jamaican education students and bursaries for Canadian ECE students[3].

Governance and Funding

As a volunteer-driven organization, P.A.C.E. Canada relies on private donations and community partnerships. It does not receive government funding, directing resources to educational materials, teacher training, and nutritional programs. The organization emphasizes reducing socio-economic disparities through early childhood development.

Impact

P.A.C.E. Canada has delivered over 1,500 OneTab devices to Jamaican schools since 2023[2][5], supported disaster recovery efforts, and consistently funded student bursaries to strengthen the ECE workforce in both countries[2][3].