JIS: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, has charged the incoming executive members of the National Secondary Students’ Council (NSSC) to be positive agents of change.
He challenged the student leaders to find creative and effective solutions to the issues that their peers face, particularly that of bullying.
He noted that the Ministry will shortly be rolling out an anti-bullying campaign to combat the increased incidence of cyber and other forms of bullying among students.
The State Minister was addressing the ceremony for the installation of 21 student leaders to the regional and national executive of the NSSC for academic year 2018/2019, at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, on Tuesday (November 20).
Mr. Green, in commending the work of the past executive, said “there has been significant improvement in the number of student councils that are active across our schools”.
“This body really helps to shape policy to create a better Jamaica. I am a believer in how important the NSSC is, because I have found where you have well-functioning councils you have better schools,” he noted.
“You must never feel that this position is just for show or that you talk and we may not listen… . We take what you are saying very seriously, and so we want you to give serious thought in whatever you are going to say. We continue to look for that sort of collaboration. You are our eyes and ears on the ground, so that we can improve upon and fix what is not going right,” he added.
The NSSC is the umbrella organisation for all student councils in Jamaica. It aims to give students the opportunity to voice their opinions on matters that affect them.
The NSSC represents more than 160 secondary schools and over 300,000 students, advocating on their behalf and providing representation in the decision-making process of schools.
Meanwhile, the NSSC will be hosting a fundraising event aimed at raising $1.5 million to support its activities as well as contribute to the renovation of the Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf in St. Andrew.
The event is to be held on November 29 at the Ardenne High School in Kingston at 3:00 p.m. For more information, call (876) 618-5116 or email [email protected].
CAPTION: State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (second left) and Director of Regional Educational Services in the Ministry, Captain Dr. Kasan Troupe (left), engage with the newly installed executive of the National Secondary Students’ Council (NSSC). They are (from third left): President, Fabian Morris; Treasurer, Aaliyah Campbell; General Secretary, Fabrizio Darby; and Public Relations Officer, Sandrene Campbell. Occasion was the installation ceremony for the NSSC’s regional and national executive held on Tuesday (November 20), at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, St. Andrew.