By Petrina Francis, Education ReporterTHE LACK of parental presence in education has been creating a significant degree of problems in the school system. But one school, aware of the need for a parental support system, has implemented a mentorship programme at the institution.
The St. Elizabeth Technical High School on Wednesday launched its mentorship programme under the theme 'Empowering Students through Mentorship'. The aim of the programme is to provide support for the students, to teach survival skills and to facilitate personal development.
Principal Dorothy Samuda told The Gleaner that the idea of a mentorship programme came from the Guidance Department. She explained that it was noticed that some students needed a support system, as some do not have an adult presence at home. Students become a part of the programme by being referred by their teachers or by the guidance counsellors.
The mentors are members of staff, while the mentees are students. The programme will start off with 50 mentees and 20 mentors, two of which are male teachers.
INNER WORKINGS
Giving an overview of the programme, Donna Hendricks explained how the programme will work. She said that mentors and mentees will be expected to meet at a minimum aof twice weekly and a maximum of three times weekly based on needs. Sessions are to be documented and mentors are expected to attend monthly case meetings.
"As educators, we need to look at the total development of the child." She said that if the child has problems, they hope to minimise some of the challenges and concerns that the child has through the mentorship programme. She commended the Guidance Department on the effort to set up a mentorship programme and she hopes that "this initiative will be successful for the benefit of the students."
Guest speaker, Raymond Eytle, 1st vice-president of the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF), told the audience, "I feel that mentorship is indeed a very special occasion." He added: "We (JEF) embrace this initiative because we see the potential that positively impact on persons that enter the world of work."
Mr. Eytle, who himself is a mentor at the University of The West Indies, told the mentors and mentees that this is a learning experience for them as they can both learn from each other.
He urged the mentees to ask appropriate questions and discuss opportunities with their mentor. He said that mentorship is an excellent way for young people to develop and this programme is critical, particularly in a rapidly uncertain and changing world.
There were more female mentees than males and he advised the girls to get more boys involved in the programme.
Sixteen-year-old Alicia Clarke told The Gleaner that she feels blessed to be a part of the mentorship programme "because it is good to have someone to care for you." She expects that this programme will help her "to be a better person and I hope to help other people," she said with a smile.
