NCMC Extends Deadline for Poster Competition
March 13, 2006The Full Story
The National Child Month Committee (NCMC), has extended the deadline for its poster and essay competitions to March 16.
These competitions are the first in series of activities being organised for Child Month 2006 in May, to educate the public about the needs of children. The theme for the Month is, ‘Restore the Family: Save our Children’.
Sandrea Long-White, Chairperson for the NCMC Poster and Essay Competition Committee, told JIS News that the extension would accommodate those schools, which requested more time to complete their entries.
She said that so far, the response to the competitions had been very positive, with several schools submitting entries and other schools indicating their intention to complete entries in time for the new deadline.
For those still not clear on the requirements for the poster competition,Mrs. Long-White said that entries should reflect an understanding of the theme.
“This can be guided by questions such as what does the ideal family look like, what could be done to make a family a happy one and why do children need a family and so on,” she noted.
Poster entries may be submitted on cartridge paper and can either be done in black and white or colour, and must be original.
Persons can submit entries in the following three categories: 6 to 10 years; 11to 14 years, and 15 to 18 years.
In terms of the essay competition, Mrs. Long-White said there were four age categories with specific requirements. For the 6 to 8 years, entries should range between 50 and 100 words, while the 9-12 years category entries should be between 200 and 300 words.
For the 13 to 15 years and 16 to 18 years groups, entries should not exceed 500 words but should be more than 300 words.
“All entries must be relevant to the topic and will be judged on originality of expression and creativity,” Mrs. Long-White said.
Participants can send entries to either Dr. Pauline Mullings, Kingston High School at 172 King Street or Sandrea Long-White, Rural Services for Children with Disabilities, 191 Constant Spring Road.
For further information, persons can contact either Dr. Mullings at 816-2144 or 922-5645 or Mrs. Long-White at 931-4584.
First prize winners in all categories of the poster competition will be awarded summer programme scholarships to the Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing Arts, in addition to receiving cash awards. Second and third prize entrants will also receive cash awards as well as all winners of the essay competition.
Winning posters will be used on official programmes during Child Month activities.
The first Child Month programme was organised in 1953 by the NCMC, which then comprised representatives from the Voluntary Organisation for the Upliftment of Children (VOUCH) and Jamaica Save the Children Fund.
The Committee has been expanded to include representatives of government and non-government institutions, working in the interest of the children of Jamaica.