BENNETTRoy Sanford, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
FOR BASIL Hubert Bennett, the recipient of the Governor-General's Award for the parish of St. Elizabeth, service to the country is something that is dear to his heart.
"I believe serving our country is a good thing," Bennett told The Gleaner. "And we should serve without asking for a reward."
Bennett's background of service to his country is extensive. As a matter of fact, he has been serving his parish, tirelessly, in the field of education for the past three decades.
He was born on October 8, 1948 and grew up in a home where much emphasis was placed on education. That emphasis had a profound impact on him for the rest of his life and, after passing the Jamaica School Certificate Examination, he expressed an interest in teaching.
In 1971, he was admitted to the Church Teachers College, where he received his Trained Teacher Certificate. He later received his teaching diploma at Bethlehem Teachers College. He started teaching at the Nain All-Age School in 1974 and was appointed principal in 1979. The school excelled academically under his unique leadership style. He is credited for the upgrading of the Nain All-Age School to a primary and junior high school.
He has also rendered exemplary service to the teaching fraternity in St. Elizabeth, where he has become the pre-sident of Parish Association of the Jamaica Teacher's Association.
Bennett has a long record of service to his community. Among his many involvements, he has been the treasurer of the St. Elizabeth Scouts Association, chairman of the St. Elizabeth 4-H Club and leader of the Nain United Youth Club.
He has occupied many leadership positions at St. Stephen's Anglican Church in Nain, where he also serves as a lay reader. He is also a Justice of the Peace and the Returning Officer for South East St. Elizabeth.
