St. Elizabeth Northwest Students Benefit from Chicken-Rearing Project

One hundred students from six schools in St. Elizabeth Northwest benefited from a chicken-rearing pilot project, which was initiated during the last academic year.

Providing details in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 24), Member of Parliament, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, said that the students, who were recommended by teachers, received baby chicks and feed.

“They were required to rear the chickens for themselves. They were required to feed the birds, give them water and clean the coops,” he informed as he made his contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate.

Mr. Hutchinson said that among the objectives of the project were to promote agriculture as a viable enterprise, ensure food safety and security, teach the students to be responsible for their own assets, enable them to earn and manage their own finances, and contribute towards their educational expenses.

“I was pleased when one child told me that after selling the chicken meat, she was able to buy some of her schoolbooks,” he noted.

The MP, who is also Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, further indicated that the principals of the schools with students involved in the project deemed it a “huge success” and have requested its expansion.

“So, for this 2023/2024 school year, the project will be expanded to all schools across the constituency and the schools that participated in the pilot will get an additional amount for their students. I must commend the teachers who selected and guided the students and the students who applied themselves for achieving the success that they did,” Mr. Hutchinson said.

In addition, the State Minister said that for the current academic year, a total of 1,322 students throughout the constituency have, so far, received book vouchers to purchase textbooks and school supplies.

A total of 292 students attending high schools and tertiary institutions were assisted with school fees, and the top boy and girl from each primary school, who transitioned to high school, got a full one-year scholarship.