Mayor wants more persons enrolled in tertiary schools
Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon says there continues to be a critical need for further educational development, particularly at the tertiary level, to drive economic activities.
Speaking at the launch of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run at the Holiday Inn in Rose Hall, St James, recently, Vernon pointed out that Jamaica’s tertiary education enrolment rate stands at 25 per cent, significantly lower than North America’s 60 per cent and Latin America’s 52 per cent. He said Jamaica requires a well-educated workforce to fill various roles in the economy and contribute to the country’s overall productivity.
“The need to retain and significantly expand this cohort of our population is tantamount to the need to build resilience, reduce debt-to-GDP [ratio], or even improve capital flow, which will effectively help us to create a sustainable future,” Vernon outlined.
“Within this context, I trust you all realise that education is much more than individual accolades.
Education is a necessary tool to safeguard our shared sustainable future. Therefore, all policies
to improve access to tertiary education are welcome,” he added.
Vernon commended the Government’s recent initiatives to improve access to tertiary education, including the removal of fees associated with the HEART/ NSTA Trust and the elimination of guarantors from student loans.
“In the meantime, households must continue to play their part in ensuring that our children get out and go to school. Businesses must also come on board and help in equipping our students with education,” Vernon said.
The MoBay City Run was renamed the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run in honour of the late Jill Stewart, wife of Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International. The 10-yearold event, a 5K and 10K walk and run, is scheduled for May 5 at the Old Hospital Park on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay. This year’s staging is aiming to raise more than $7 million.