Holness wants full literacy at primary level

MALVERN, ST ELIZABETH:

Education Minister Andrew Holness said he was convinced that if the present generation of primary-school students achieves 100 per cent literacy, many of Jamaica's problems would be solved.

Addressing the 2008 graduating class at the Bethlehem Moravian College in St Elizabeth last Saturday, the education minister said if all students were reading and writing before they were promoted to secondary schools, many of the behavioural problems that exist would be solved.

He added that when some students were learning and some were not, social inequity would be promoted, resulting in education becoming the tool to reinforce inequality and disparity.

According to Holness, his ministry was looking at achieving the goal of 100 per cent literacy at that level, because to do otherwise would be a waste of taxpayers' money.

He, however, warned that the goal could not be achieved without leadership from all stakeholders in the schools.

- George Henry

Security boosted in May Pen for Christmas

MAY PEN, CLARENDON:

With the festive season fast approaching, the Clarendon police have boosted their presence in May Pen and surrounding communities.

Superintendent Dayton Henry, parish commander, said additional police officers had been deployed to the streets of May Pen in an effort to prevent robbery and other crimes.

The officers will be faced with the task of maintaining order in the town, controlling illegal vending, traffic management and other antisocial activities.

The superintendent said special emphasis would be placed on illegal taxi operators for Christmas.

It is customary that during the Christmas season, vendors in May Pen take to the streets, however, this Christmas might be different as police are in dialogue for two locations within the town centre to be used as temporary vending areas until the start of the New Year.

The Clarendon police are also on high alert based on intelligence that criminals will be targeting courier services transporting money to and from May Pen during the Christmas season.

- Dwight Nelson

Excellence rewarded at Glenmuir prize-giving

MAY PEN, CLARENDON:

Glenmuir High School in May Pen, Clarendon, held their prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday.

The ceremony on the school grounds was more memorable than usual, as 2008 also marks the school's 50th anniversary.

Clement Radcliffe, who was also celebrating 25 years as principal, said the school had another successful year despite coming second in many areas. He attributed the success to "the culture of discipline that was instilled at the outset in 1958".

A number of students from first to sixth form who topped their classes were honoured with trophies and certificates.

Kevin Williams, a past student, presently attending the University of the West Indies, was also honoured for academic excellence with the Sydney H. Scott Trophy.

Williams earned five Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations distinctions. He was also honoured with the Prime Minister's Youth Medal for Academics and is the Jamaica Open/GraceKennedy scholarship winner. He is presently studying medicine.

The audience was also treated to musical selections from the school's choir and a dub speech from three students.

- Angella Chin

Bybrook gets major water-supply system

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), in collaboration with the European Union, on Wednesday handed over a $14-million water-supply system to the Bybrook Benevolent Society group in Portland.

The water project, which was funded by the EU through its Poverty Reduction Programme, was commissioned in May 2005, and was completed in September last year within the project cost of $14,373,167.

More than 6,759 metres of pipeline have been laid throughout Bybrook, and the neighbouring community of Skibo. A large storage tank with a capacity of 160,000 gallons has also been constructed, giving approximately 1,500 residents potable water.

The JSIF provided approximately $13 million towards the project, while the Benevolent Society group funded the remainder.

- Gareth Davis Sr