MANDEVILLE, Manchester: Four educators Sonia Joy Neil, Vinette Graham-Bowen, Leebert Charles Wright and Ramdeen Singh were recognised for their contribution to education by the Kingston Bookshop at the Golf View Hotel on Monday.

Sonia Joy Neil, the vice-principal of Munro College in St Elizabeth, a former student of Church Teachers' College and the University of the West Indies, is the first female to hold that position at the all-boys school. She entered the teaching profession in 1973 and is a language specialist.

tremendous contribution

Vinnette Graham-Bowen, a graduate of Sam Shape Teachers' College, is the vice-principal of Christiana Leased Primary School, in Manchester. She was lauded by her peers for what they termed her tremendous contribution in the areas of music and culture.

Leebert Charles Wright, the principal of Kemps Hill High School in Clarendon for the past 22 years, was recognised for his contribution to education, both in and outside the classroom. He is the recipient of the Prime Minister's Medal of Appreciation for service to education, the Golden Torch Award, the R.C. Tavares and Edith Dalton James awards for leadership.

Ramdeen Singh of Hampton High School in Malvern, St Elizabeth, has gained the respect of the teaching fraternity as one of the island's leading history teachers. Students under his tutelage have consistently distinguished themselves in yearly exams, such as CSEC, Cambridge 'A' Level and CAPE.

The four were lauded by management of the Kingston Bookshop as well as the president-elect of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), Michael Stewart.

Stewart used the occasion to call on the Government to re-examine any proposed tax measures that will impact on the delivery of education to the nation's children. The JTA president-elect also took the Government to task for proposing a tax on computers.

- Angelo Laurence