The Manning’s School’s NY chapter ‘pay it forward’
Past students’ contribution to improve institution’s home economics offerings
TECHNICAL AND vocational education and training (TVET) at The Manning’s School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, has received a major boost, thanks to the New York Chapter. The second oldest of the school’s past students association on Wednesday donated US$20,000 (J$2.9 million) to the institution’s home economics department.
Ilene Cohall-Bailey, head of the school’s home economics department, was happy for the investment, sharing that it would go a far way in advancing the abilities of the school’s TVET programme.
“This that you have given to us is going to push TVET and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) forward. We are very grateful because we are a department that works very hard, and we have done well,” Cohall-Bailey said.
According to Cohall-Bailey, the Lasco Ministry of Education and Youth’s TVET Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024, the school’s home economics department is exemplary among traditional and non-traditional schools.
“Our students, we don’t handpick them. Whoever comes to us, we mold them, we prepare them, and we have results to show,” she said after collecting the cheque.
“Manning’s School is an exemplary school , and our children, they are the future, and we’ll continue to do whatever it takes to get them career ready. We are going to do it,” she continued.
Cohall-Bailey also encouraged her students to continue honing their skills with great enthusiasm.
“You are going to be our future doctors, nurses, technicians, whatever you imagine. You have the skills. Hone them, and do not give up,” she said.
Wilma Wynter, president of The Manning’s School’s New York chapter of the 286-year-old institution, says their goal is to pay it forward and help maintain the high quality of education at the institution.
“The idea is to pay it forward in giving back to our school and to impact the learning capabilities of the students here, ”Wynter said.
“The quality of education here is high, and the aim of the past students’ association is to help maintain, support it as best as we can and try to take it to the next level,” she continued.
Steve Gordon, principal of The Manning’s School, thanked the past students for their commitment.
“Thanks for reminding all of us, particularly our students, that it is important to give back and for them to maintain their promise to give back to the institution for the betterment of the institution and the students,” Gordon said.
“I want to reassure the New York chapter that every cent of this financial donation is in the department and the other areas that you have (earmarked),” he added.
Established in 1988, The Manning’s School’s New York Chapter Past Students’ Association has made numerous contributions to the school, including but not limited to the establishment of The Manning’s tuition-assistance grant and sponsorship programme; the Howard Jackson Memorial Fund; continuous upgrade of the school’s library and subscription to news magazines; renovation of the teachers’ cottages after Hurricane Gilbert; refurbishing and furnishing the science lab; financial support and equipment for the school’s computer lab; sponsorship of the school’s Penn Relays teams; the Manning’s development fund, which financed the completion of a classroom block; and contribution towards the 2011 upgrade of the school’s sanitary facilities.