By Petrina Francis, Education ReporterTHE EARLY childhood system got a boost yesterday when the keys to a brand new school were handed over to the principal of the Lakes Pen Basic School in Spanish Town.
The building, which contains 3 classrooms, restroom facilities, kitchen, storage room, principal's office and a small rest area was funded by the Digicel Foundation at a cost of $9.8 million. It was built by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).
Speaking at the official opening of the school, Maxine Henry-Wilson, minister of education said: "It's very important that we understand that education is really the food for our development; without it we are not going to go very far."
A GOOD START
She noted that priority is being placed on early childhood because "We know that when you give them a good start they are up and running for the rest of their lives."
The minister implored the community members to protect the building. "Many times we believe that only when we get a personal benefit that anything gwaan for us, but I always tell people, the thing that is going to go on and last the longest is when your children get an education," she said. "There is no greater and there is no more multiplier education than when your children get that education," Mrs. Henry-Wilson added.
SAFE SCHOOL PROJECT
Making reference to the safe school project, which was launched yesterday, the minister said it is sad that "we have to be looking to put policemen as resource officers to make schools safe. It's an indictment on some of our social development", she emphasised.
Meanwhile, Scarlette Gillings, managing director of Jamaica Social Investment Fund, said, the Lakes Pen Basic School "stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when we combine our efforts, our expertise and our resources." "Let it be replicated in other communities across Jamaica," she added.
