Dr. Rhodd Implores Young Persons to make use of Educational Opportunities

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Dr. Donald Rhodd is imploring young persons to make use of all the educational opportunities that are available to them, in order to become productive citizens.
“There are challenges in respect to growing up, there are challenges and concerns about your education and training, there are challenges in respect to employment.but it is a sound education that will give you the confidence you need to succeed,” he said.
The Minister, who was speaking on July 31 at the two-week Youth Opportunities Summer Camp being held at the Boys Scout Headquarters on South Camp Road in Kingston, further challenged the participants to make every effort to learn a skill in order to become gainfully employed.
“Too many persons are leaving school without a skill. at times girls are forced to enter into prostitution and boys become involved in gangs. Education is the foundation for self confidence and development,” he emphasised.
Dr. Rhodd encouraged the participants to rise above their environment, and become productive citizens through hard work and discipline.
In her remarks, Executive Director, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Georgia Scott said that, “there are a great deal of opportunities in Jamaica. success does not come by chance, it comes from determination, self-control and discipline. It is also critical that you choose the right path to follow”.
“The objectives of the camp are to foster youth development and to bring students from various communities together. It is about teaching life skills training and teaching the principles of success and discipline,” Mrs. Scott explained. She pointed out that during the two weeks, participants are provided with career guidance and counselling and they also get an opportunity to learn valuable life coping skills.
The summer camp this year has targeted adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age from the inner city communities of Fletchers Land, August Town, Trench Town, Kencot and Mountain View.
The camp is a collaboration between Youth Opportunities Unlimited and the Citizen Security and Justice Programme.