Students prepare for visits from national leaders to their schools
STUDENTS AND teachers at Immaculate Conception High, Calabar High, Camperdown High, and St Andrew High schools are busy preparing for the visit of four notable Jamaicans to their schools during the week of November 26. They are Lady Allen, wife of the governor general; Paula Llewellyn, director of public prosecutions; P.J. Patterson, former prime minister; and Dr Peter Phillips, leader of the opposition.
The visits are part of the Kingston and St Andrew Development and Homecoming Foundation’s (KSADHF) Student Motivation and Empowerment programme aimed at encouraging students to pursue peace and excellence by fostering an understanding and commitment to the principles and standards expected of good and productive citizens.
On Monday, November 26, Lady Allen will be at the Immaculate Conception High School at 8 a.m., while Llewellyn will address students at St Andrew High School for Girls, also at 8 a.m., on the same day.
Patterson will return to his alma mater, Calabar High School, at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28, while on Thursday, November 29, Phillips will speak to students at Camperdown High, beginning at 11 a.m.
The KSADHF’s Student Motivation and Empowerment programme began with Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ visit to Penwood High School in his constituency on November 6. He spoke on leadership development, civic responsibility and how to get to the next step to achieve individual goals. The prime minister engaged with the students who asked questions for about one hour after his presentation.
OTHER SPEAKERS
Among the other outstanding Jamaicans who have so far agreed to address students as part of the KSADHF’s initiative are Professor Hopeton Dunn, Dr Leith Dunn, Steadman Fuller, Jean Lowrie-Chin, Anthony Hylton, Dr Gary Welsh, and Dr Wayne Henry.
At the recent launch of the programme, Custos Steadman Fuller, chairman of the KSADHF, noted that the objective was to get 40 outstanding citizens to begin a conversation with young Jamaicans who have been stigmatised as rude and uncouth.
“We must take responsibility to ensure that Jamaican students are given opportunities to develop as leaders and be ready to replace those of us who are now managing our country and the various businesses,” he said.