By Roy Sanford, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE ST. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation (SEHF) is to launch its 10th Anniversary Celebration with a Thanksgiving Service at the St. John's Parish Church on Sunday.
This year's celebration is to focus on education. Executive Director of SEHF George Watson says the organisation took that route after a two-year study on education was done in the parish. The study, which was dubbed the St. Elizabeth Participatory Planning Research Project, was sponsored by SEHF. "We took an objective and comprehensive assessment of inputs that is required over the next ten years for the development of education in the parish," he said.
STANDARD-DRIVEN
According to Mr. Watson, the results of the study are to be used for planning a compulsory and standard-driven education system in St. Elizabeth. The education programme is to begin on November 3 and runs until November 21. "It will include a School Motivational Programme where over 100 outstanding St. Elizabethans who have achieved in their chosen field will spend a day in schools, speaking with students, teachers and supporting staff," Mr. Watson stated.
Some of the topics that will be covered during that phase will include career opportunities, self-help, importance of education, social responsibilities, values and attitude, discipline, motivation and sharing experiences.
"These St. Elizabethans will provide the students with role models, as most of these persons have worked their way up the ladder through hard work and dedication, under very difficult circumstances," Mr. Watson noted.
EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Another feature of the Homecoming celebrations is an education conference on Thursday, November 20 under the theme 'The State of Education in St. Elizabeth' at the Bethlehem Moravian College. Outstanding teachers from the parish are expected to be honoured during the conference. The foundation is also expected to recognise ten schools that have made significant contributions to education in the parish, at a function to be held at Monroe College on November 15.
Another highlight of the month-long celebration is expected to be the honouring of 15 outstanding St. Elizabethans who, according to Mr. Watson, "have made invaluable contribution to the parish, the nation and the world." They are expected to receive the prestigious Best of St. Bess Golden Award at the Worldwide Fund-raising and Golden Awards Banquet to be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on November 26. Mr. Watson is encouraging all St. Elizabethans to visit the parish during the month of November.
