Education Minister Presents Principal With Leadership Award

Minister of Education Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites on Friday, November 29, formally presented Principal of the Lethe Primary School in St. James, Anthony Murray with the prestigious Leadership in Education Award.

Speaking at the award ceremony at the school Rev. Thwaites commended Mr. Murray for his dedication and passion, and love for his students.

He told the audience of community members and representatives from the business and education fraternities that, primary education is critical and if improved, would lead to more success at the tertiary level.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister gave his commitment to assist with the establishment of an infant department for the school.

“I am hoping that next year this time, you will have an infant school alongside your primary school, because this is entirely consistent with government’s policy,” he said.

In reading the Citation, Education Officer Daniel Warren Kidd, said that as Principal of the Lethe Primary School, Mr. Murray developed several plans and policies including health and sanitation, nutrition, school improvement, disaster management, school assessment as well as reading plans, punctuality, disciplinary and students’ governance policies.

“Under his leadership, students’ performance in Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy Tests and the Grade Six Achievement improved significantly. At Grade Four the school’s average in literacy moved from 32 per cent in 2011 to 58 per cent in 2012 and to 62 per cent in 2013.  For numeracy which is his area of strength, coming from a low of four per cent in 2009, Mr. Murray has improved the school’s performance from 17 per cent in 2011 to 51 per cent in 2012 and to 55 per cent in 2013,” Mr. Kidd read.

In 2006 Mr. Murray was selected as the LASCO/Ministry of Education Teacher of the Year for Region Four. This year, Mr. Murray was the first Runner Up for the LASCO/MOE Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards.
The Leadership in Education Award was made possible through the Jamaica Teaching Council and the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Minister of Education Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites on Friday, November 29, formally presented Principal of the Lethe Primary School in St. James, Anthony Murray with the prestigious Leadership in Education Award.

Speaking at the award ceremony at the school Rev. Thwaites commended Mr. Murray for his dedication and passion, and love for his students.

He told the audience of community members and representatives from the business and education fraternities that, primary education is critical and if improved, would lead to more success at the tertiary level.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister gave his commitment to assist with the establishment of an infant department for the school.

“I am hoping that next year this time, you will have an infant school alongside your primary school, because this is entirely consistent with government’s policy,” he said.

In reading the Citation, Education Officer Daniel Warren Kidd, said that as Principal of the Lethe Primary School, Mr. Murray developed several plans and policies including health and sanitation, nutrition, school improvement, disaster management, school assessment as well as reading plans, punctuality, disciplinary and students’ governance policies.

“Under his leadership, students’ performance in Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy Tests and the Grade Six Achievement improved significantly. At Grade Four the school’s average in literacy moved from 32 per cent in 2011 to 58 per cent in 2012 and to 62 per cent in 2013.  For numeracy which is his area of strength, coming from a low of four per cent in 2009, Mr. Murray has improved the school’s performance from 17 per cent in 2011 to 51 per cent in 2012 and to 55 per cent in 2013,” Mr. Kidd read.

In 2006 Mr. Murray was selected as the LASCO/Ministry of Education Teacher of the Year for Region Four. This year, Mr. Murray was the first Runner Up for the LASCO/MOE Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards.

The Leadership in Education Award was made possible through the Jamaica Teaching Council and the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).