Muschett High School Embarks on Four-Year Development Plan

Muschett High School in Trelawny has stepped-up activities for its 2011-2015 development plan to have the institution renowned for high performance in technical and vocational subjects.

The plan also seeks to make strides in other academic areas, while deepening the involvement of past students and other stakeholders in the operations of the school. Another goal is to eliminate the shift system.

At the core of the initiative is: the construction of eight additional classrooms by 2013, with funds sourced mainly from stakeholders; and increasing the number of students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in Mathematics and English Language by 30 per cent in 2015.

The plan envisions a two per cent improvement and mastery of all other subject during 2012, and a fully function alumni. At a recent launch of the past students association, the members contributed over $150,000 to the development initiative.

Newly installed Principal, Leighton Johnson, asserts that “we know that students in our school have potential and we a have a responsibility to educate them to develop these potentials. Literacy is the key to this development”. He adds that the mission has the backing of the school leadership.

“The teachers are extremely upbeat and motivated. The students who are placed here, a lot of them do well in the technical areas, and we try to zero in that aspect and cater to the need of these students. As a result, the agricultural department and the technical areas have seen good results at the CSEC level,” he says.

Mr. Johnson tells JIS News that, “We have been making strides with the various stakeholders, (and) the business partners…we will be contacting the private organisations. The mission is to develop their (students) potential so that they can grasp opportunities created by the society thus enabling them to enhance the development of the nation”.

To supplement its needs, the institution runs a chicken farm, which supplies poultry when school is in session, and during holidays it supplies markets in the community.

“Part of the development plan is to venture into food and agro-processing, zero in on the by-products that we produce with a view of creating a market. The ideal situation is a situation where the school will become totally self-sufficient, that where we want to go and we will be partnering with the Business Department, in looking at the goods that we have produced here,” the Principal explains.

The staff and students have expanded their creativity into the production of pastry products, which they are seeking to market.            

Mr. Johnson believes that for the plan to bear results, a positive image of the school must be maintained. At a recent career exposition he charged teachers to give of their best, and students to “take pride in the burgundy and white, the khaki shirt and pants-take pride in the way in which you deliver the curriculum. In the end every child who walks through the gates of Muschett High, should leave here a better person. Should go to his different field knowing that he or she has accomplished something and will do good at what they do”.

Assuring that the school plan is a for the national good, the Principal notes that “with the success of Mucshett High, will see bright aspiring young Jamaicans coming out with high standards, high morals, ready to assist and aid in any aspect of the nation’s development; ready and able to sit in as worthwhile citizens contributing in anyway possible to the development and growth of our nation.”  

For Head Boy, Leighton Erskine, it is crucial that stakeholders stick with the school, as the development plan is an important one.  “In building Muschett High, they are building their country, because a lot of opportunities are here, and with their help those opportunities will be wideedn, and the goals that are set can be achieved,” he says.

By Garfield Angus, JIS Reporter