JSIF Hands Over Early Childhood Institution in Westmoreland

The students and staff at the New Roads Basic School in Eastern Westmoreland were in a celebratory mood on Thursday (Nov. 2) when their newly constructed and equipped school was officially handed over by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). The school was also renamed the Luther Beckford Early Childhood Institution in honour of deceased community member Luther Beckford, who donated the land on which it is constructed.
The project, which was completed at a cost of some $8.3 million was financed by JSIF in the sum of $7.3 million with the community of New Roads contributing the other $1 million.
The school now consists of a standard modular two-classroom building, comprising a kitchen and sanitary facilities for students and teachers. In addition the building was also fenced and fully equipped, inclusive of a play area.
Addressing the handing over ceremony held on the grounds of the school, Board Director at JSIF, Kirk Brown emphasized that the agency fully endorsed the motto of the Ministry of Education and Youth, which states that “Every Child can learn, and every child must learn”.
Describing education as “the surest strategic investment in ensuring lifelong learning, employability and personal” growth, Mr. Brown added that JSIF was fully committed to honouring that responsibility and meeting the challenge of providing world class basic and primary school facilities for underserved communities across the island.
Underscoring the importance of proper maintenance of the facility, and the many others across the educational spectrum that have already been handed over by JSIF in its 10 years of operation, Mr. Brown also announced that the Fund had launched a “Best Kept Project” competition, in which projects completed in the first five years of the organisation’s existence were eligible for entry to win numerous prizes.
“I hope that when we are celebrating our 20th anniversary, the Luther Beckford Early Childhood Institution will be among the projects that not only enter the competition, but win,” he stated.
He charged the residents to continue to invest in their community as they have done through the new basic school, and to always take care of their investment. Some five other adjoining communities will benefit from the new institution.