The Jamaica All-age Schools Project, in association with the Moneague College, held a three-day literacy conference in Oracabessa recently. The conference, entitled 'Jamaica Literacy Research and Development Centres: Promoting Partnership, Best Practices and Performance,' was aimed at exploring the issues surrounding literacy development. According to Moneague College Vice Principal, Maureen Byfield, the conference was geared at 'engaging educators', with a view to 'showcasing the research and development centres and their roles in the Jamaican literacy landscape.' Byfield also pointed out that another aim of the conference was to engage in professional activities relating to the successful implementation of literacy, research and development programs in the teachers' colleges. Workshops, field trips and presentations were scheduled for the conference, which, according to a statement from organisers, was to be opened on January 7 by Wesley Barrett, Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture. Other speakers from Belize, as well as from the US and West Indies, would participate in the event, organisers said. For more information on the Jamaican Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture contact: www.jis.gov.jm/Ministry_News/ministry_of_education_and_cultur.htm