THE EDITOR, Sir:AS YOUNG persons living in Jamaica, we were absolutely horrified at Lorna Stanley's proposal to close the Operation Restoration School in Trench Town last week. This is due to the fact that we are cognisant of the fact that the only safe and fair way of elevating oneself from the confines of poverty is through a well rounded education. And for this reason, we take this opportunity to openly commend Mrs. Stanley for still trying to keep the school going. And we do hope, that as citizens, such behaviour should serve as an example to the entire nation.
We, the students of Jamaica would like to thank the necessary authorities and persons who are working assiduously to prevent the closing of this tower of light which exists in the very impoverished and volatile community of Trench Town. We are extremely pleased to see that swift action is being taken in order to secure the future of these children who would not have gotten the chance to attend school otherwise.
We take this opportunity to appeal to all Jamaicans for their active support of such programmes. We believe that no matter who you are or where you are from, the business of educating our nation's youth should be your concern. Thus the support of such initiatives should be encouraged and fully supported by the entire country.
We should not let gunmen and criminals dictate where and when the nation's youth should attend schools. Instead we must stand up and see to it that all our nation's youth are fully educated and can effectively help in the development of our country. We must protect every medium through which children can be educated.
Educating the young amongst us should not be left up to the Ministry of Education only. We should all play the part we can to ensure that, especially those who are not very privileged, get the opportunity to be educated and worthwhile citizens of our country.
Again we take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Stanley and her courageous team for offering the children in Trench Town a chance at life, through education.
Do not despair, Mrs. Stanley, the Lord sees and will reward your good deeds accordingly.
I am, etc.,
JERMAINE FRANCIS
P.R.O.National Secondary
Student Council
