National Security Ministry Donates Musical Instruments to Irwin High School

The music programme at Irwin High School in St James has been bolstered with the donation of instruments under the Ministry of National Security’s ‘Liv Gud’ Music, Sports, and Technology (MST) initiative’.

The instruments, a guitar and a keyboard, were handed over by portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, following a ceremony at the institution on Friday (January 27).

In his remarks, Dr. Chang, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the Ministry continues to employ MST as a useful tool in helping to prevent crime and violence among students.

He informed that there are plans to further expand the programme, noting that music, sports and technology have proven to bring about social changes and positively mould the mindset of Jamaica’s youth.

MST, which was announced in 2018, is one of the Ministry’s strategic social intervention activities within vulnerable communities, targeting at-risk youth.

“The Ministry views the use of music, sports and the introduction of technology as critical tools to, not only reaching our young people, but also giving them opportunities. Music, we sometimes take as an extracurricular activity. But music and sport in today’s world, can earn you more than math and physics,” he said.

“We do need math to read music though, and we need outstanding scientists and the engineers to build and create things. But as a society, music and sport define Jamaica. You don’t think about Jamaica, and you don’t think about a Bob Marley and a Usain Bolt anywhere you go, around the globe,” he pointed out.

The Minister also encouraged students who have a talent for sport, to recognise its value as a lucrative career, while endeavouring to attain a solid education, pointing out that “sports can also make you into a millionaire.”

“Any of you [students can achieve] by developing your sporting talent,” Dr. Chang emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Minister commended the school for nurturing the musical talents of students, and pledged to provide additional instruments to further enrich the institution’s music department.

Music teacher and cultural agent at the school, Keron Thompson, who expressed gratitude for the donation, told JIS News that the instruments will have a positive impact on the institution’s music programme.

“Last year, after some heavy rains, the main keyboard that we use was damaged; so getting this keyboard will definitely allow us to rehearse better. The guitar is also useful, because the ones we have do not take a jack; but this one actually does. So we are able to amplify persons who are playing it,” he said.