Patsy Cleghorne, (centre) founder and principal of Kettering Basic School, Trelawny, accepts a donation from Guardian Life's Denver Brown (right), and Rudolph Jackson, sales representative and branch manager, Ocho Rios. The donation will go towards the construction of the school's kitchen and bathroom.
-Contributed photoNESTLED IN the rural district of Kettering, some three minutes drive from the township of Duncans, Trelawny, is a small home-built basic school, that has as its guiding philosophy, 'Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth'.
It is not difficult to understand why Kettering Basic School has adopted this mantra. For it was born out of a mother's determination to give her child the best education ever, despite the economic challenges she faced.
The year was 1993 and Patsy Cleghorne established a make-shift school on her verandah, using a sheet of zinc as the chalkboard. With little knowledge and experience in teaching, Mrs. Cleghorne yearned to improve her competencies in the area and so she went on to become a trained teacher before officially opening the Kettering Basic School.
Today, Kettering Basic School, which was certified by the Ministry of Education in 2001, boasts a vibrant and healthy population of 40 students and two teachers and receives administrative guidance from an appointed Board.
DISCIPLINE
Denver Brown, board member and vice-chairman, basic schools' eastern zone, Trelawny, firmly believes that "One day, Kettering Basic School will be recognised as one of the best basic schools in Jamaica because of the level of discipline it instills in the students, whose ages range from three to six years.
Brown illustrated his point by stating that, "I was really impressed with the students on my first visit with them. The minute you stepped into a classroom, they all stood and pleasantly welcomed you. And as soon as you are about to leave, they stand again and wish you a good day."
"From that first experience, I think that was just admirable and commendable, especially at a time when the country grapples with issues of discipline, respect, values and attitudes." Brown, who is also a sales representative at Guardian Life's Ocho Rios branch, has commended Mrs. Cleghorne and her staff for their efforts towards early childhood education. For that, his company recently extended its commitment of believing in Jamaica, by donating funds towards the development of the school's kitchen and bathroom.
