Education Minister Hails Spirit of Community In Reopening of School

Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister, Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has hailed the spirt of community in ensuring the timely reopening of the education sector in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

She praised the work of the teachers, principals, alumni, churches, businesses, civic groups, the regional teams and contractors, noting that “many of them started repairs before they got their money”.

“They knew the money was coming. That is the sense of community we want to see. Contractors were working on Christmas day and New Year’s Day so that schools could open, and you have businesses doing so much,” she pointed out.

The Minister, who was addressing the Jamaica Day celebrations on February 27 at the Manchester High School in Mandeville, said that society is best advanced when crucial stakeholders work together for the nation’s children.

“That is what it means to be Jamaican – to do everything we can so that our children are in school,” she added.

She argued that fixing the ills of society requires the effort of community, with everyone playing their part.

The Minister endorsed the Montego Bay Night Run, slated for April 4 at Harmony Beach Park in St. James, which will benefit Anchovy High School.

“These are businesses and communities coming together to say ‘let’s build back our schools’. An entire campus was destroyed, and this is another example of Jamaicans coming together to build back our schools,” she pointed out.

Jamaica Day aims to foster national pride, patriotism and cultural awareness, particularly among the youth.

It serves to strengthen ‘Brand Jamaica’ by highlighting the nation’s heritage, music, food and achievements, encouraging citizens to honour their history and culture.

This year’s event was held under the theme ‘Celebrating Jamaica, Celebrating Kindness, Celebrating Courage and Community’.