• Category

  • Content Type

Advertisement

Schools to be Built Through National Education Fund – PM

March 16, 2009

The Full Story

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said that the Government would be embarking on a national education initiative to build schools, under the Ministry of Education’s National Education Fund.
According to the Prime Minister, the Fund would be launched soon, following Cabinet’s approval, and establishment of the legislative framework. This will be followed by a public awareness campaign to promote the Fund, and to outline the benefits and objectives.
The Prime Minister was addressing Jamaican nationals in Orlando, Florida, at a community forum, held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, on March 15.
Mr. Golding was in Florida to meet with Tavistock International, to discuss the joint tourism project, Harmony Cove, in Falmouth, Trelawny, following the meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government, which he attended in Belize.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the creation and launch of the Fund, would be an opportunity for Jamaicans in the Diaspora to invest in their homeland, through education.
Outlining the impact of the global recession on the Jamaican economy, Mr. Golding said the Government is looking at programmes in the areas of education and social intervention to deal with young people in the society, allowing them to integrate into society; building trust and restoring community confidence.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that in order to improve efficiency and savings in the Public Sector, a strategic approach would be looked at to effectively merge functions and responsibilities in all areas, particularly professionals employed in the areas of health, education and law enforcement. For example, the Prime Minister explained that where synergies exist, there could be the redeployment duties held by the police, to civilians. This would allow the Police Force to effectively deal with crime and violence.
Mr. Golding further pointed out that in other areas where there is a shortage of skills, persons could be deployed more effectively.
The Prime Minister said that the Government and people were grateful for the contributions made by Jamaicans in the Diaspora, in “giving back” to Jamaica’s development.
President of the Jamaican American Association, in Orlando, Herbert Dawkins, expressed a desire to partner with other education-based service organizations in the Diaspora, to volunteer in reading programmes in schools across the island.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Consul General in Miami, Sandra Grant Griffiths; Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Patricia McCalla; and representatives from the Tourism Product Development Company (TDPCo) and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI).
The community forum was organised by President of the Caribbean Bar Association, Wayne Golding.
Mr. Golding returns to the island today (March 16).

Last Updated: August 28, 2013

Skip to content