Clarendon Schools to Receive $2.5 Million for Skills Training

Five secondary schools and one HEART Trust/NTA institution in North West Clarendon are to benefit from sums totalling $2.5 million to enhance their skills training programmes.

The institutions are Thompson Town High, Alston High, Claude McKay High, Edwin Allen High, Spalding High, and the C Palmer Project of Hope Training Centre.

They each received $500,000 last year, through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to provide tools and equipment for practical courses such as welding, home economics, and electrical installation.

Speaking to JIS News at the recent opening of a resource centre at the Thompson Town High School, Member of Parliament, Hon. Richard Azan informed that cheques, in similar amounts, are being prepared for handing over to the schools shortly.

He informed that he decided to undertake the initiative after noticing the need for such equipment at the schools. “I decided that I would ask the schools to decide on the greatest need,” he said.

Mr. Azan said the schools have indicated they are already seeing improved results from the acquisition of the much-needed tools.

“So far, as I understand from the schools, the children are doing much better now because they have the equipment to perform. It is a programme that I am going to continue because it is making an impact on the students,” he stated.

The project also has an agricultural component, which the MP said is making the institutions self-sufficient, particularly in the area of poultry production.

Mr. Azan informed that he will be replacing welding equipment that was stolen from Thompson Town High during a recent break-in at the institution.

“I am not going to allow one child…because of others to suffer, so I am going to try and replace those equipment,” he pledged.

Principal of Thompson Town High, Richard Morgan, said the students are grateful for the project, noting that it has enhanced their preparations for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

“They have been doing quite well. We laud Mr. Azan, he has been working very well with the school… we are glad that he has really come on board,” Mr. Morgan told JIS News, noting that the MP also contributed to the school’s sport programme and the establishment of the resource centre.

Student of Thompson Town High, Jason Morgan, in expressing gratitude, said the provision of the equipment “gives a lot of students the opportunity to excel, and complete the tasks at hand. This is a great move.”

Another student, Anita Edwards, said that “giving such a contribution to the development of the practical areas is very good. We have very talented students, and with the added resources, they will develop their talents and grow further.”