Students Encouraged to be Catalysts for Change

President of the Association of Principals and Vice Principals, Pauline Reid, has called on student leaders to be the catalysts in changing negative tendencies among the youth population, and in their communities.

“I implore you to continue to be upright in your dealings, and lead others into always doing what is right and honest. You are student leaders and you represent the most important persons in the education process. You are why we build schools, and it takes a specific number of you for one teacher to be employed, for a Principal to be appointed and a Minister to be selected,” she told the students at a leaders’ forum, held at the Moneague College, in St. Ann, on April 26.

Special guest at the forum was Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites.

Ms. Reid explained that school officials select students to lead, “who exhibit exemplary behavioral patterns and are confident, perceptive, independent and committed to service.”

“I applaud you for having the strength of character to appoint students who will respectfully question and even challenge decisions, make valuable suggestions and contribute meaningfully to overall school development,” Ms. Reid told the Principals.

The President said the student leaders’ forum was held so that the Minister could hear from the students about their concerns, and their views on important matters.

“The Association of Principals and Vice Principals operates on the principle that schools are for students, and everything we do is to improve the fate of our students. This idea for a ‘rap’ session was prompted by the realization that as a body, we have always been listening to, and giving great credence to all our stakeholders, so we should create a setting, not for our student leaders to speak to us, because we hear them every day, but for them to speak to the Minister of Education,” she added.

Meanwhile, Regional Director in the Ministry, Maxine Headlam, urged the students to help preserve the “foundations” of the society.

“You represent the hope of our country, it is on you that our future rests, and as long as you continue to exhibit the kind of leadership that you have, the foundations will be preserved,” Ms. Headlam told the students.

By Garfield L. Angus, JIS Reporter