Prime Minister Commends St. Hilda’s Jamaica 50 Legacy Village Project

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has commended St. Hilda’s Diocesan High School in St. Ann on the success of its “Legacy Village” project, initiated to commemorate Jamaica’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

In her keynote address, delivered by Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, during the Village’s closing ceremony at St. Hilda’s campus in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, on Friday (June 28), Mrs. Simpson Miller noted that the initiative fulfilled its objective of maintaining memories of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of 2012, which warmed the hearts of Jamaicans at home and abroad, and “rekindled that spirit of patriotism and pride, which is so important to national development.”

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said education should be regarded as entailing more than the process of equipping students with the requisite skills for the workplace, and enabling the nation to produce competitively on the global stage.

“Education is about preparing people for citizenship. It is about imparting the values and the attitudes, many of which are portrayed in your (St. Hilda’s) Legacy Village,” she noted in her message.

Mrs. Simpson Miller also commended the school on its continued academic excellence, and focus by the administration on engendering “moral excellence” among the students .

She argued that once emphasis is placed on instilling civility, tolerance, decency, and high moral values among students, this will result in schools being transformed into safe and successful institutions, like St. Hilda’s.

Meanwhile, Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Reverend Ronald Thwaites, in his remarks, says that his Ministry is anticipating that schools islandwide will eventually have at least one teacher, dedicated to imparting cultural studies to students.

He contended that such a development will lead to the “blossoming” of constant reminders for and the exploration of Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage by the youngsters, thereby contributing to the process of national development.

Rev. Thwaites pointed out that: “cultural studies and the study of history are vital for your own self perception, and in the acknowledgement and relishing of who we are as a people.”

Development of the Legacy Village, which opened on June 15, 2012, was undertaken as part of St. Hilda’s High School contribution to the Jamaica 50 celebrations.

Project Director, Marva Johnson, said the initiative was aimed at sensitizing the students and wider community on wide ranging aspects of Jamaica’s heritage, by highlighting the resilience and creativity of the people, and showcasing how the journey to nationhood evolved over the years.

CONTACT: BRYAN MILLER

JIS REGIONAL OFFICE

MONTEGO BAY