Opposition Senator Says Education Can fix Crime

Opposition Spokesman on Education, Senator Basil Waite, has said that if Jamaica’s crime situation is to be fixed, the education system must be fixed first.
“I am of the view that as a country, Jamaica’s best days are ahead of us and if we are going to fix Jamaica, as we must, if we are going to fix the crime problem we have in our country, then we must fix the education system,” Senator Waite said.
He was addressing a recent presentation ceremony at which Ward’s Power Tools and Supplies Limited handed over a $5 million endowment to the St. James High School, Montego Bay, St. James for educational and other developments.

Opposition Spokesman on Education, Senator Basil Waite (left) sharing pleasantries with principal owners of Ward’s Power Tools and Supplies Limited, Howard and Veronica Ward, during a ceremony for the presentation of a $5 million endowment to the St. James High School in Montego Bay on April 28.

“Education is not just about coming to school and reading some books on the textbook list, it is not just about using the computers that will be given to the school under the e-learning programme, it is about building a knowledge-based society, it is about every Jamaican in every nook and cranny being able to be connected to the world,” he said.
The school’s principal, Mr. Joseph Williams, said that efforts are being made to change the present two-shift system, and return to a single shift from which, it is believed, the students can gain much more educationally.
The principal owners of Ward’s Power Tools and Supplies Limited, Howard and Veronica Ward, were instrumental in making possible one of the largest endowments from a private sector entity to a Government educational institution, when they presented the school with the $5 million cheque.

Chairman of the St. James High School Board, Mark Kerr-Jarrett (left) in conversation with principal owners of Ward’s Power Tools and Supplies Limited, Howard and Veronica Ward, during a ceremony for the presentation of a $5 million endowment to the St. James High School in Montego Bay on April 28.

The funds will be used for the development of the school, construction of a computer lab and the Industrial Arts and sports programmes.