Students Urged to Get Rid of Bling Culture

State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, has encouraged young persons to get rid of the bling culture, as it is an obstacle to educational achievement and obtaining high-end jobs.

Mr. Crawford, who was delivering the keynote address at the Jose Marti Technical High School Boys’ Day, held at Twickenham Park, in St. Catherine, on February 4, urged the students to use their time at school to get prepared for the best jobs in the workforce.

“If you don’t focus on making yourself capable and better in school, you are going to enjoy five years, and suffer 50 years. I would prefer to suffer five, and enjoy 50,” he said.

The State Minister explained that when they idle for five years in high school, their parents are responsible for them as they “enjoy” the time, but after that they are responsible for their survival, and without education they will face unnecessary hardships.

Stressing that the country’s future development rests heavily on a prepared youth population, Mr. Crawford urged the students to be very involved in it, “because it is your country.” He added that if they do not develop themselves, they will not be able to contribute to the process.

President of the Past Students’ Association, Courtney Francis, told JIS News that he applauded the move by the school to engage the boys in the day’s activities.

“We hope that it can bear the required fruit of turning out real men who will stand up to their responsibility. The State Minister got to the core of the matter, and I hope that the boys took it seriously. If they were to take any part or the whole from today’s presentation, they certainly will be much better men in the future,” Mr. Francis said.

For her part, Guidance Counsellor at the school, Mrs. Ann Marie McKenzie, said the aim of the event was geared at building the social skills of the students.

“It is an empowerment day for our boys; we want them to recognize their abilities. The State Minister wants them to recognize how they can make a change. He expects them to do a good reflection, and put into perspective the ‘mathematics’ of life. You can’t expect to do no work in school, and then expect to get the big jobs,” she said.