PM Urges Students to Focus on Productivity, Excellence

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has called on students to utilise their talents to become more productive citizens, who are focused on excellence.

Addressing a rap session at Rusea’s High School in Lucea, Hanover on Friday (Jan. 19), he emphasised the critical need for a productivity boost in Jamaica to propel the nation towards Vision 2030.

He said studies show that while Jamaica’s productivity is declining or flat, the country’s international counterparts are making significant strides forward, which he credited to the work ethic of citizens in those countries.

He said that Jamaicans, particularly students, must adopt a similar approach in their pursuits.

“I want each and every one of you to believe that the God-given talents that you have, which we call your labour, creativity, enterprise and industry, that you can do much more with it than you currently are doing,” Mr. Holness said.

“Each and every one of you must set a standard of excellence; not a transactional standard of pay me and I do more. It’s a moral standard where I do more because I can do more and because doing more benefits everyone,” he noted.

He said further that “excellence needs to return to our society. Let us set high standards for ourselves and see who can be the greatest, the most efficient.”

Meanwhile, as Jamaica moves towards becoming a republic, the Prime Minister urged the young people to understand their role as citizens, highlighting their importance in the administration, management and running of the country.

“You are important to the country. You are responsible for your country as much as your country is responsible for you,” he noted.

During the session, the students got the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister questions on several topics including housing, regional integration, and the brain drain.