Education Ministry Honours Past and Present Principals In Kingston Western

Past and present principals of schools in Kingston Western were honoured by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information on Thursday (September 17) for their leadership and commitment to shaping their institutions, supporting teachers and students, and strengthening the communities they serve.

The Principals’ Awards Ceremony, hosted by Quality Education Circle (QEC) 2, an educational cluster within the Ministry’s Region One (Kingston and St. Andrew), was held at the ROK Hotel in Kingston under the theme ‘Leading Beyond the Call: Honouring Our Principals’.

Among the 25 educators honoured were six retired Principals, including Dr. Carole Powell of St. Andrew Technical High School; Eugenie Brown of Denham Town Primary School; and Aletha Lucinda Palmer of St. Aloysius Primary School.

Current Principals recognised included May Pinnock-Mitchell of Edward Seaga Infant School; Marvin Johnson of Tivoli Gardens High School; Patreece Douglas of All Saints’ Infant School; Rose Marie Clarke of St. Joseph’s Infant School; and Yvette Richards-Thompson of Denham Town High School.

Special awards were presented to two outstanding Principals, selected by Minister of Local Government and Community Development and Member of Parliament for Kingston Western, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the constituency’s development.

The awards went to Shernet Clarke-Tomlinson of Edward Seaga Primary School and Tamara Steele-Rowe of the Chetolah Mel Nathan Education Centre.

Education Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris-Dixon, who delivered the keynote address, commended the principals for their exemplary leadership and dedication, noting that they consistently go above and beyond the call of duty.

“All the studies we have seen have shown that the schools that do well are the ones that have good leaders… good Principals… good Chairs. So it is important that we focus on our Principals, focus on our Chairs, because you are the ones that are going to be able to turn around a school,” she stated.

The Minister also paid tribute to the retired principals, noting, “You were [often] able to achieve a lot with very little… and so we have to salute all of you.”

Senator Morris Dixon emphasised that, despite the challenges within the education sector, principals remain committed to advancing their schools and inspiring their students.

“You’ve inspired many children. I know there are students whose names you may eventually forget, but who will remember something you said to them for the rest of their lives. I know there are parents who gained hope because you refused to give up on their child,” the Education Minister said.

She maintained that these contributions, while not easily quantifiable, are an integral part of the principals’ legacy in education.

Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie similarly noted that the awardees have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that children in the constituency receive a quality education.

“I don’t believe that anywhere in Jamaica we can find teachers as dedicated and committed and true to their students like the teachers of West Kingston,” he affirmed.

Mr. McKenzie emphasised that, despite the challenges within the constituency, students have continued to excel under the leadership of strong principals and the support of committed teachers.

He pledged to continue providing the necessary resources to schools and students within the constituency to ensure they excel.

“This year we are looking at some $12 million for back-to-school assistance for the kids of West Kingston to take them to school. We are getting more West Kingston students going into tertiary education, and it is an indication of what is happening in our schools. I want to thank you… teachers,” Mr. McKenzie added.