JIS: Members of the Jamaica Diaspora made donations to the education sector at a session of the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, on July 26.
The session was addressed by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who highlighted the needs in the education system, and gave an update on the Government’s investment in the sector.
Senator Reid also urged the members to partner with the Government to improve the education system.
He said a major focus of the Ministry is taking over a number of privately run early childhood institutions that need upgrading.
“We will need the Diaspora to continue to give support to improve the infrastructure as much as possible,” the Minister told them.
Retired educator, Dr. Hermine Speckles, donated US$2,500, noting that her contribution is a “giving back,” as the Education Ministry helped her with an overseas scholarship.
Representative from Caribbean Food Delights, Janice Julian, contacted her senior managers, and got the approval to donate US$2,000.
Public-Private Relationship Manager with the National Education Trust (NET), Latoya Harris, informed that other partners on the agency’s Pledge 2 Build initiative ran their own fundraising exercises during the Conference.
Some 14 schools at the primary and the secondary levels are slated for repairs by the end of the year through the donations.
“People like to see when others have confidence in something, and Pledge 2 Build is an initiative than can make a difference in the lives of thousands of children,” the NET official told JIS News.
Director at the Onecare Health Services Inc., Carlton Darby, made a pledge of $250,000 for the West Kingston-based Tivoli Gardens High School.
Mr. Darby informed that he, along with several past students, will, in a few weeks, start the implementation of a project to support the school, which includes the mentoring of students.
CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (left), is greeted by Chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force, Leo Gillings, on his arrival at yesterday’s (July 26) education forum at the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.