JSIF Lauded for Implementing Best Kept School Competition
By: , April 6, 2024
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams (left), presents the Best Kept School trophy to Groundsman at Edward Seaga Primary School, Donovan Moulton (second left). The presentation was made during the Jamaica Social Investment Fund’s (JSIF) Best Kept School Competition awards ceremony at JSIF’s office in Kingston on Friday (April 5). Also participating are: JSIF Managing Director, Omar Sweeney (second right), and Principal of the school, Shernet Clarke Tomlinson.
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams (second left), celebrates with (from left) Systems Operation and Environmental Manager, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Dr. Milton Clarke; and Anchovy Primary School Principal, Cheryl Grant-Mitchell, and Vice Principal, Michael Thompson, after the institution received the Best Kept Grounds trophy during JSIF’s Best Kept School Competition awards ceremony on Friday (April 5). The event was held at JSIF’s office in Kingston.The Full Story
The Jamaica Social Investment Fund’s (JSIF) Best Kept School Competition is deemed to be reflective of the values of pride, responsibility and community stewardship.
This, according to Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Faval Williams, who was speaking during the competition’s awards ceremony at JSIF’s office in Kingston on Friday (April 5).
Mrs. Williams said the programme, which falls under JSIF’s Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP II), is an initiative to encourage students to take personal interest and ensure good order in educational institutions.
“As we come together to recognise excellence in school infrastructure maintenance, environmental management, health and safety, I am thrilled to see the dedication and commitment of our educators, students and communities in creating conducive learning environments for our children,” she stated.
The competition was introduced to identify and reward environmental best practices in targetted schools across 10 ICDP II beneficiary communities in St. James, Westmoreland, Kingston, and St. Andrew and Clarendon.
It was also designed to incentivise participants and beneficiaries who have maintained a high level of performance in their respective communities, with the aim of motivating them to manage community assets effectively.
The 17 institutions participating in the competition were judged and awarded in the categories of: Best Kept School, Best Kept School Entrance, Best Kept Grounds, Best School Greenhouse Project, Best Traditional School Garden, Most Outstanding Groundsman, Best School Recycling Environment Project, School Environmental Stewardship, Most Safety Conscious School, Best Community Entrance Sign, and Best Kept Community Greenhouse.
Edward Seaga Primary School won the Best Kept School prize.
The Most Outstanding Groundsman award went to Denis Reid of St. Andrew Primary School, while Anchovy Primary School copped the Best Kept Grounds trophy.
Minister Williams, in lauding JSIF for implementing the project, said it was pivotal in empowering communities, enhancing infrastructure, improving the quality of life for countless Jamaicans islandwide, and building hope, resilience and opportunity.
“It is about investing in our nation’s future and ensuring that no community is left behind,” she added.