Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

Following the success of Jamaica's athletes at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, last month, the Ministry of Education says it is contemplating an increase in support for sports development programmes at schools.

Minister of Education Andrew Holness told The Gleaner that his ministry currently assists nominally with physical education and some sporting events, but maintained that the Government could increase its support to bolster sports development.

Directional support

"But the support doesn't necessarily have to be financial, it could be institutionally governed or directional support," Holness said.

He credited civil society for the support to develop and fund sports programmes across the island, and encouraged them to continue their efforts.

Reford Hinds, principal of Donald Quarrie High School in Kingston, told The Gleaner yesterday that the school welcomed any contribution to sports development.

The school was named in honour of the sprinter's 200-metre gold medal success and 100-metre silver medal run in Montreal at the 1976 Olympics.

The institution enters national sports events, such as netball, cricket and Manning Cup football competitions, but does not have the facilities to train students or the money to develop a sports programme.

The Government only gives money to schools for their physical education programme. "When it comes to Boys' and Girls' Champs and other tournaments, we have to rely on sponsorship from the private sector or the school alumni," said Hinds.

Sport scouts needed

Schools need sport scouts and coordinators to identify talents similar to those at Donald Quarrie, according to Hinds.

The institutions also require field space to practise. Yvonne Kong, principal of G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports in St Catherine, said sports development programmes require specific funding, as many schools have cut back on their sports programmes to facilitate other subject areas.

She said a policy should be implemented in all schools to have a physical education specialist, from the primary to the tertiary level, to screen talent and develop Jamaica as a sporting nation.

"The Ministry of Education should assign all schools, a physical education specialist, so that all of the schools, outside of their quota of teachers, would have these specialists."

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com