Students Celebrate Jamaica Day in Westmoreland

Hundreds of students from schools in Eastern Westmoreland turned out on March 4 at Belmont Academy, in the parish, to take part in Jamaica Day 2016 activities, held under the theme: ‘Celebrating Jamaica, Promoting the Arts’.

The events included games, traditional music, a concert and attractive display booths showcasing Jamaica’s achievements in the arts, music, sports and other disciplines.

Addressing the large group of participants at the official opening ceremony, Director of Educational Services in Region 4, Dr. Michele Pinnock, highlighted the importance of the historical event, which “instills the spirit of nationalism among citizens, allowing all Jamaicans to better understand their heritage.”

“In his proclamation of Jamaica Day on February 26, 2010, the Governor-General emphasized that this day ought to provide a good opportunity for all Jamaicans to partner with young people to help them define and create the most suitable context within which to be the best example of humanity,” Dr. Pinnock said.

She pointed out that the celebrations provide an opportunity for schools to deepen their relationship with their communities, establishing and strengthening partnerships with the private sector and members of the Parent Teacher Associations.

“The focus (of Jamaica Day) this year is on the creative industries associated with the Arts.  These include music, dance, drama, visual arts, theatre/film, designing, literary arts, culinary arts, among others. The aim this year is to educate persons about Jamaica, while we celebrate and promote the creative industries of our country,” Dr. Pinnock noted.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Worker of 2015, Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, is calling on the Education Ministry to make it mandatory for all schools to place Jamaica Day on their calendar of annual events.

“There is an understanding that music and the creative arts is very much a part of our development and must be promoted. The Creative Arts is about our career and I am saying to all young people…feel honoured about your creative self.  Arts is very important and is the first element of any therapeutic vibration,” Mr. Williams told the students.

He called on the youth to respect themselves, to become mobilizers of their inner greatness and to ensure that only ‘positives’ come from their mouths and conversations.

“Let us allow our arts to be advancement tools.  Any creative ability that you possess, let it be a point of advancing yourselves. Therefore, enjoy Jamaica Day and learn as much as is possible, because this occasion is easily the greatest day on your academic calendar,” Mr. Williams said.