The Jamaican education system is similar to the education system in Canada. Jamaican schools range from Basic school to University. Basic schools are community-run pre-schools for children aged 2-6 which combine social skill development with initial academics. Every level of education has a tuition fee. Tuition fees vary between schools. For instance, student fees at one inner-city Basic School are $2600J ($88.16 Canadian) per term, whereas the fees at a smaller Basic School in a nearby neighbourhood are $1500J ($50.86 Canadian) per term. In August 2000, it was found that the Ministry of Education in Jamaica pays less than 18% of teachers' salaries in Annotto Bay, a small rural town on the Northeast coast. The rest of the salaries come from other sources. The student fees combined with Ministry funding do not cover the expenses to sufficiently run a Basic or Primary school.

Jamaican Self-Help (JSH) support includes teacher salary supplements, hot lunches, and student fee sponsorship. JSH also provides support for teachers to earn certification. The goal of JSH's Basic/Primary Education Programme is to help Jamaicans reach a higher level of academic achievement.
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Vocational training programmes are distinct from the standard education system in Jamaica. Vocational training focuses on the development of basic skills needed for individuals to succeed in areas such as woodworking, food preparation, or sewing. Programme participants may use these skills to find employment directly. Some use this programme as a launch pad to continue training at another institution, or begin an apprenticeship with an employer. In addition to skills, training centres usually provide literacy, math and banking workshops.

Two of the training centres supported by Jamaican Self-Help (JSH) focus on women. In many depressed areas women are the primary breadwinners of the family. These training centres help women to become more financially secure and less dependent on handouts. JSH also supports a woodworking training program that is aimed at young men who may otherwise end up on the streets. JSH support includes teacher salary supplements, school supplies and maintenance, and professional development support. Increasingly, Jamaican employers are requiring skills certification. The goal of JSH's Vocational Training Programme is ultimately to help raise the rate of employment among the participants.
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