New Basic School Opens in St. Ann
April 25, 2003The Key Point:
The Facts
- The school was constructed through funding from the Social Economic and Support Programme (SESP), Lift Up Jamaica, Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company (KJBCo.) and the community.
- Speaking at the official opening ceremony yesterday (April 24), Kaiser's Human Resources Manager, Basil Walker, said education was the key to nation building, as without training, no country could move forward.
The Full Story
A new basic school constructed at a cost of some $4 million, has opened in the community of Higgins Land, St. Ann to accommodate over 100 students.
The school was constructed through funding from the Social Economic and Support Programme (SESP), Lift Up Jamaica, Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company (KJBCo.) and the community.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony yesterday (April 24), Kaiser’s Human Resources Manager, Basil Walker, said education was the key to nation building, as without training, no country could move forward.
He urged the parents to ensure that their children acquired quality education during their formative years, pointing out that a strong foundation would shape the future of the youngsters.
“The more education you have, the greater the chance for success”, Mr. Walker told the gathering, adding that while the students gained academic achievement, it was also important to acquire skills that were necessary for social progress. He urged the community to take care of the facility “so that it will serve the community for a long time”.
Giving a history of the school, Samuel Lions, member of the institution’s sponsoring body, said Higgins Land Basic had its genesis on the verandah of community stalwart, Mary Higgins, in 1940. As it grew, the school was moved to a number of different locations including the Higgins Land Church of God, “until it now has a final destination,” he said.
As part of the opening exercise, certificates of appreciation for commitment to early childhood education were presented to a number of persons and organizations.
Others participating in the opening exercise were Rhamadin Bailey, Community Relations Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture; Pauline Barnett, Senior Education Officer in the Ministry; Devon Evans, Chairman of the parish’s Early Childhood Board; Lenworth Sterling, Principal of the Higgins Land Primary and Junior High School and students of the school.
There are 257 basic schools in the St. Ann education region.