JIS: As Jamaicans gear up to give their time, effort and financial contributions towards projects on Labour Day, May 23, Chairperson, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams-Singh, is calling on persons to support basic schools across the island on the day.

 

Speaking with JIS News at the Horizon Park Primary and Infant School’s Retirees Appreciation Banquet, held at The Knutsford Court Hotel on Teachers’ Day, May 8, Mrs. Williams-Singh noted that the theme for Labour Day 2019 – ‘Child safety… It’s you, it’s me, it’s all ah we!’ – is in keeping with Standard 8 of the 12 Standards for Early Childhood Institutions outlined by the ECC.

 

This Standard focuses on the safety of children and states that, “Early childhood institutions should provide safe indoor and outdoor environments for children, staff, stakeholders and visitors to the institution”.

 

Mrs. Williams-Singh said this is a standard that some basic schools across the island have not yet achieved, and with the assistance of the public on Labour Day, the schools can be upgraded, be re-marked by the ECC and improve their scores towards full certification.

 

“The schools need help with perimeter fencing, acquiring fire extinguishers and so much more for the safety of students,” Mrs. Williams-Singh said.

 

She also noted that achieving the goals of Standard 8 will assist basic schools in achieving the goals of Standard 9, which addresses “child rights, child protection and equality”. It states that, “Early childhood institutions should uphold the rights of children, protect them from harm and ensure that all children have equal access to services”.

 

For their part, the ECC will be activating one project in each parish across the island to help needy basic schools fulfil the requirements of all 12 Standards of the ECC.

 

The various projects the ECC will be activating will take place in Kingston at Galilee Basic School; St. Andrew, End Time Basic School; St. Thomas, Rowlandsfield Primary and Infant School;

 

Portland, Rural Hill Basic School; St. Mary, Devon Pen Infant School; St. Ann, Mount Zion Infant Department; Trelawny, Wakefield Infant Department; St. James, Content Basic School; Hanover, Cave Valley Infant School; Westmoreland, Cornwall Mountain Infant Department; Manchester, Mitchell Town Infant Department; St. Catherine, St. Johns Road Basic Early Childhood Institution; Clarendon, Mitchell Town Infant Department, and St. Elizabeth, Knoxwood Basic School.

 

CAPTION: Chairperson, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Trisha Williams-Singh, speaks at the Horizon Park Primary and Infant School’s Retirees Appreciation Banquet, held at The Knutsford Court Hotel on Teachers’ Day, Wednesday (May 8).

JIS: Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, says it is important to impart the nation’s history to the younger generation, so that they can learn valuable lessons from the ancestors.

 

Mr. Henry was visiting the Hazard Primary School in Clarendon on Friday (May 10), where he interacted with students of a Grade 4 class, sharing historical nuggets about the parish, including the origins of the school.

 

He lamented that students are often more knowledgeable about the history of other nations, noting, for instance that many young people only learn about the teachings of Jamaica’s first National Hero, Marcus Garvey after they have left school.

 

The Minister read to the students from three books he had brought with him including one titled: ‘Marcus Garvey and the Tainos in Canoe Valley. A blurb on the book said that children will not only learn about Marcus Garvey and the Tainos in a fun way, but be inspired to pursue greatness.

 

The others are: ‘Soon Come, a Ptolemy Turtle Adventure’; and ‘Tilly Bummie and other stories. Life in Jamaican Country and Town’.

 

After inviting students to read excerpts from the books, Mr. Henry, who is also Member of Parliament of Central Clarendon, formally handed them over to the class.

 

“I was very impressed with the attentiveness of the children…and by the reading ability that was demonstrated. I am leaving here enthused,” the Minister told JIS News following the session.

 

The Minister’s visit coincided with a literacy fair staged by the school, which was the brainchild of the institution’s Reading Teacher, Danielle Francis.

 

She told JIS News that she was inspired to host the event as part of the ongoing development of students, noting that it followed on a successful staging several years ago, which greatly benefitted the students.

 

“I like when children are well rounded…In terms of the developmental stages of children, reading is the most important foundation,” she said.

 

Ms. Francis thanked the Minister for reading to the students and sharing his knowledge, noting that the children were excited about his visit.

 

CAPTION: Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, guides Grade 4 student at the Hazard Primary School, Dwrayne Powell, during a reading session at the institution’s location in Clarendon on Friday (May 10).

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, is condemning the recent killing of educators Clevon Campbell and Samuel Martin.

 

“Those acts are cowardly; they are dastardly acts committed against two of the vanguards of the guardians of hope and prosperity of our nation, and we must speak out against it,” he said.

 

The State Minister was addressing teachers at the Helen Stills Professional Development Day ceremony, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in St. James on Thursday (May 9).

 

“Jamaica must recognise the important role that our teachers play, and if we speak about appreciating our teachers, if we speak about loving and respecting our teachers, then we must speak every single day about loving and respecting and honouring their lives. When you kill a teacher you kill a nation, and that is the message I want us to take (from) here today. That is the message that every single one of you must take to your classrooms [and] to your communities,” he said.

 

The State Minister further appealed to members of Mr. Campbell’s community of Portmore, St. Catherine, to assist the police in finding the perpetrators of the crime.

 

He also implored the gathering to never forget the work of the deceased educators, as they served to make an impact on the lives of their students.

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Terrelonge praised the teachers for the work that they do daily to empower and develop the nation.

 

“Without the teachers there is no hope; without you teachers there is no development; without you teachers there is no prosperity for our nation, because you empower every single one of us. Every single one of you here is the end result of a teacher. I am the end result of a teacher. I am the product of you, the work that you have done, and I thank you for everything you do to ensure the prosperity and success of our nation,” Mr. Terrelonge said.

 

For his part, President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Dr. Garth Anderson, said the day was set aside to reflect on professional growth and development with the view to assess and recalibrate.

“As members of this esteemed profession, it is paramount that we engage in the latest research and developments in education, so that we can be innovative in (our) approach to teaching and learning,” he said.

 

“We must recommit today to the promotion of the teaching profession as a beacon of hope and inspiration to the nation. After all, we are the architects of the education system with the responsibility to shape minds, inspire hope and reframe the society in which we live,” the President added.

 

The event, which was hosted by the JTA, is named in recognition of former Knox College Principal, Helen Stills. It was held under the theme ‘Empowering Educators: Retooling, Innovating, Networking for Sustainable Development’.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, addresses teachers at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Helen Stills Professional Development Day, staged at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, in St. James on Thursday (May 9).

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education , Youth and Information , Hon. Alando Terrelonge (right), engages President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Dr. Garth Anderson, during the JTA’s Helen Stills Professional Development Day, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in St. James on Thursday (May 9).

JIS: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with oversight for the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Karl Samuda, is encouraging the nation’s teachers to continue to act as positive role models for students.

 

“Teachers are arguably the most important persons in your lives right now, and most of you spend more time with your teachers than some of you spend with your parents, so they are the ones moulding your character and helping you to get ahead in life,” Mr. Samuda said.

 

The Minister was speaking to students during his visit to the Haile Selassie High School, Payne Avenue in St. Andrew, on May 8.

 

Mr. Samuda’s visit to the institution was also used to celebrate Teachers’ Day, which forms part of activities to mark Education Week from May 5 to 11, under the theme ‘Empowering Educators: Retooling, Innovating, Networking for Sustainable Development’.

 

The Minister commended the academic staff at the institution for helping to shape the lives of the children.

 

“I want to take a moment to congratulate you. Those teachers that I have had an opportunity to meet and talk to on this little tour, it is clear that the commitment is there. You have the challenges before you, but you are facing them boldly and with commitment to make a difference,” he said.

 

Mr. Samuda encouraged the students to have a vision of what they would like to be in life and work hard to achieve it.

 

“You can’t go through life every day – getting up, having something to eat, put on your clothes, come to school and go back, play with your friends, go to sleep and do the same thing the following day – without pausing during the day to contemplate what it is you want out of life,” he said.

 

“There should be no limit placed on the sense of who you are. Don’t believe that because you come from a humble home that you are going to die in a humble home… . It is not where you start; it is where you finish and the effort you put in to make yourself a better person,” the Minister added.

 

He further encouraged them to adopt wholesome attitudes and values toward life and each other.

 

In the meantime, Mr. Samuda said his mission is to see to it that all the facilities that the institution needs are given to them to improve their weak subject areas, particularly Mathematics and English.

 

He told the students that even though they perform better academically in the technical subjects, “I don’t want those who are involved in the technical field to feel that ‘mi good wid mi han but mi head nuh so good’ rubbish. You can be as good with your head as you can be with your hands. No matter how great you are with your hands, you need to read and comprehend”.

 

Teachers’ Day is used to recognise the country’s educators for their tireless work in the classroom.

 

CAPTION: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with oversight for the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Karl Samuda (seated), signs the guest book at the Haile Selassie High School, Payne Avenue, in St. Andrew, on May 8, when he visited the institution to celebrate Teachers’ Day. Observing (from left) are Community Relations Education Officer, Louise Laurence Rose; and Regional Director, Region One, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Kelly. Teachers’ Day forms part of activities to mark Education Week from May 5 to 11, under the theme ‘Empowering Educators: Retooling, Innovating, Networking for Sustainable Development’.

JIS: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, has lauded educators for their work in preparing the future leaders of Jamaica.

 

Speaking with JIS News during his visit to St. Aloysius Primary School in Kingston on May 8 to celebrate Teachers’ Day, Mr. Terrelonge thanked teachers across the island for their dedicated service in empowering children.

 

“Teachers are the guardians of our society. I want to celebrate all our teachers simply because there is no society without the impact and influence of our teachers to ensure that successive generations are educated, inspired and empowered. I want to say a big thank you to all our teachers for all the work they continue to do to ensure the prosperity of Jamaica,” the State Minister said.

 

Mr. Terrelonge said the Ministry continues to collaborate with the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) to recognise the work that teachers have been doing.

 

Meanwhile, Principal of St. Aloysius Primary, Althea Palmer, said working with children is her passion.

 

“It is not a nine-to-five job. It calls for determination, dedication, passion and a love for children. It calls for somebody with a vision of where they would like to see their Jamaica and the kind of legacy you would like to leave behind,” she said.

 

Grade-two Coordinator and senior teacher, Pancita Walker, who is trained in early-childhood education, told JIS News that her inspiration and motivation for teaching is seeing the progress of her students.

 

“What drives me and motivates me as a teacher is when I can move a child from point D to point A. I am fulfilled. There is no child that cannot reach his or her greatness,” Miss Walker, who has been employed at the school for 18 years, said.

 

Grade-six student, Daniel Hall, told JIS News that he appreciates the work his teachers put in to make the subjects interesting for him. “Teachers help us to learn, so in the future we can be like them,” he said.

 

Locally, Teachers’ Day is observed annually on the first Wednesday of May, during the first full week.

 

Teachers’ Day is one of several activities to mark Education Week, being celebrated from May 5 to 11 under the theme ‘Empowering Educators: Retooling, Innovating, Networking for Sustainable Development’.

 

CAPTION: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, interacts with grade-six students of St. Aloysius Primary School in Kingston today (May 8). The State Minister visited the school to celebrate Teachers’ Day. Locally, Teachers’ Day is observed annually on the first Wednesday of May, during the first full week.

 

CAPTION TWO: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (centre), greets Grade Two Coordinator and Senior Teacher at St. Aloysius Primary School, Pancita Walker (left), on his visit to the institution to celebrate Teachers’ Day, today (May 8). At right is Principal of the school, Althea Palmer. Locally, Teachers’ Day is observed annually on the first Wednesday of May, during the first full week.

 

JIS: Minister without Portfolio with oversight for the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Karl Samuda, is appealing for all Jamaicans to work together to end violence against the nation’s children.

 

“Every day we wake up we hear sad stories…; it has to come to a stop,” he said.

 

Minister Samuda made the remarks during a visit to the Haile Selassie High School on Payne Avenue, St. Andrew, on May 8.

 

In providing safety tips to the students, the Minister encouraged them to be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times.

 

“When you are going home, don’t walk alone, no matter where you are and how safe you think you are. Walk with a friend or two, and make sure that your eyes are alert and take note of your environment,” he said.

 

He noted that the collaboration of all citizens is critical in protecting children.

 

“We all have to fight together. We have to cooperate with our teachers, our parents and our friends and relatives… . I beg for your support,” he said.

 

Mr. Samuda’s visit to Haile Selassie High was part of activities for Teachers’ Day.

 

The observance was in keeping with Education Week activities from May 5 to 11 under the theme ‘Empowering Educators: Retooling, Innovating, Networking for Sustainable Development’.

 

CAPTION: Minister without Portfolio, with oversight for the Education, Youth and Information Ministry, Hon. Karl Samuda (standing) speaking with civics and social studies teacher, Haile Selaisse High School, Tanisha Wiles during his visit to the institution on Payne Avenue, St. Andrew, on May 8. Mr. Samuda’s visit to the institution was used to observe and celebrate Teachers’ Day. Other teachers (from left) in the background are Clifton Wellington and Tiffany Taylor.

 

CAPTION ONE: 

Public Relations Executive in the Marketing and Public Relations Department, Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Kadian Brown, reads to grade-one students at the Red Hills Primary School in St. Andrew. Occasion was a visit to the school by a team from the JIS to participate in Read Across Jamaica Day today (May 7).

 

CAPTION TWO: 

Vice Principal of the Red Hills Primary School in St. Andrew, Lorraine Bramwell (left); and Principal, Paul Messam (second left), with students and a team from the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) that visited the school, today (May 7), to participate in Read Across Jamaica Day.

CAPTION ONE: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge reading to students of New Providence Primary School, in Kingston, today (May 7), to mark Read Across Jamaica Day. The Day forms part of activities to mark Education Week from May 5 to 11, under the theme, ‘Empowering Educators: Retooling, Innovating, Networking for Sustainable Development’.

CAPTION TWO: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge reads to New Providence Primary School students, to observe Read Across Jamaica Day on May 7, at the institution’s Barbican Road address in Kingston. Read Across Jamaica Day forms part of activities to mark Education Week from May 5 to 11, under the theme, ‘Empowering Educators: Retooling, Innovating, Networking for Sustainable Development’.

 

JIS: Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Grace McLean, says the Ministry remains committed to resolving issues within the sector.

 

She notes that matters arising in 2019, such as those related to the Primary Exit Profile (PEP), have been identified and are being addressed through remedial interventions and other initiatives.

 

This, Dr. McLean adds, in an effort to facilitate the seamless development of the education system and citizenry.

 

“I, therefore, take this opportunity to assure the wider Jamaica and the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), that the Ministry is committed to continuous service, support and consolation, as we ensure that whatever we are doing, it is in the best interest of our children,” she added.

 

Dr. McLean was speaking at a service at Mount Ward Methodist Church in Ramble, Hanover, on Sunday, May 5, to mark the start of the JTA’s observance of ‘Education Week 2019’, from May 5 to 9.

She also lauded the JTA for implementing various education initiatives to support students’ cognitive development.

 

“I urge you to continue being beacons of hope for our children, even as we grapple with our personal and institutional challenges. Our aim at the Ministry is to mobilize support for our educators, to ensure that we continue to meet the educational needs of future generations,” Dr. McLean said.

 

She added that teachers along with parents and church leaders are among the first channels through which knowledge is introduced to children.

“So even as we recognize the efforts being promoted, teaching as a valuable profession must be in the collective effort of all stakeholders in education,” Dr. McLean further said.

 

CAPTION: Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI), Dr. Grace McLean, at a service at Mt. Ward Methodist Church in Ramble, Hanover, on Sunday, May 5, to mark the start to the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) ‘Education Week 2019’.

 

JIS: Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison, is urging heightened vigilance by parents and community members in protecting the nation’s children from harm, in light of recent attacks and mishaps involving several youngsters.

 

Speaking at the Office of the Children’s Advocate’s (OCA) first quarterly press briefing at the agency’s offices in downtown Kingston on May 3, Mrs. Gordon Harrison, said the mishaps against children have not “gone unnoticed” by the entity.

 

She contended, however, that while the OCA’s officers are doing their part to provide support, communities can do more.

 

“We use these incidents to urge that immediate and important steps be taken to protect our children. It is not just parents and guardians who must assist with protecting children… we need all communities and school families,” the Children’s Advocate emphasised.

 

Mrs. Gordon Harrison noted that the school community can play a vital role in safeguarding children, as they know what is usual and unusual about youngsters who they interact with daily, while stressing that “everybody needs to get involved”.

 

She said data collated by the OCA show that most attacks on children are committed by persons known to them and with who, in some cases, they have close relations.

 

“We need to be looking at the systems of protection and supervision that we create for our children, as parents, and we need to, as community members, speak out when we see something that looks wrong. If we see children walking to and from school alone, we need to ensure that they are walking in groups,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, Mrs. Gordon Harrison highlighted children’s vulnerability when travelling alone on public transportation to school.

 

In this regard, she proposed the creation of incentives for taxi and bus operators to provide special arrangements for the youngsters.

 

Mrs. Gordon Harrison also said retired and unemployed persons could give consideration to becoming safety wardens for children who have to walk the streets, often unaccompanied, particularly in their communities.

 

She advised that the OCA is, as part of its mandate, providing counselling and legal representation to families islandwide, to ensure the rights and welfare of children are preserved.

 

Under the Child Care and Protection Act 2004, the OCA is authorised to take all reasonable steps to protect and enforce the rights of children in Jamaica.

 

CAPTION: Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison (right), addressing the Office of the Children’s Advocate’s (OCA) first quarterly press briefing on May 3, at the agency’s offices in downtown Kingston.