Foreign Affairs Ministry Renovates Basic School
The Mission House Methodist Basic School in Gordon Town, East Rural St. Andrew, is closer to securing Early Childhood Commission (ECC) certification following renovations carried out at the institution on Labour Day, May 23.
The institution, which is affiliated with the Gordon Town Methodist Church, has already fulfilled 79 per cent of the certification requirements.
Activities undertaken on Labour Day, which were spearheaded by members of the Jamaica Foreign Service Association in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, are expected to go a far way in enhancing the teaching and learning environment for the schools 40 pupils and three teachers.
The works included the refurbishing of the play area, ceiling and roof repairs, repainting, and general landscaping.
Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith and members of the association were joined by representatives of the ECC, wife of the Prime Minister and East Rural St. Andrew Member of Parliament, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, teachers, and parents and other residents in carrying out the work.
Senator Johnson Smith, who indicated that early childhood education was “close to my heart”, told JIS News that the Ministry was “very much connected to our communities and making sure that our work serves to improve the lives of Jamaicans.”
She praised the residents for participating in the project, pointing out that they were “doing a very good work in bringing our young minds to knowledge.”
For her part, Mrs. Holness said it was “very encouraging” to see organisations such as the Ministry select and work on a community project. She also commended the residents for coming out in their numbers for the workday, noting that “this is what Labour Day is all about.”
“It’s not for the Government or the Member of Parliament to choose. It is for the community to say, this is something that is important to us whether it is a community centre, a school, your road. Whatever the project may be, as a community, we decide that this is what is important and we are willing to give of our time to help,” she added.
Mission House Methodist Basic School Principal, Kassan Scott, told JIS News that she was “ecstatic” by the turn out of support for the project.
“We really appreciate the fact that they chose our school, ” she said, adding that Tuesday’s engagements will serve to further enhance the schools educational programmes for the youngsters.
Article by: Douglas McIntosh
Photo from: www.jis.gov.jm