First Global brings math music to Mizpah
MELODIOUS VOICES wafted across the compound of the Mizpah Primary School in Mizpah, Manchester, as teachers and students blended their vocals in welcoming representatives from First Global Bank and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture (MOEYC), who took along a number of musical instruments.
Teams from First Global Bank (FGB) Mandeville branch, their May Pen agency and the MOEYC visited the students and teachers and presented them with new musical instruments to aid with the teaching/learning methods in numeracy and literacy. Employees of First Global Bank, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, and teachers and students of Mizpah Primary School, Manchester, sing and play musical instruments, after the bank, in partnership with the ministry, presented several new instruments to the school last Tuesday.
The donation is part of the FGB/MOEYC Music Literacy programme – Music: Perfect Pitch for a Sound Education. With the addition of the Mizpah Primary School, this now brings to 15 the number of primary schools benefiting across Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, Manchester, St James and St Ann.
The programme was established in October 2011 and primarily targets students at the
grades three and four levels by incorporating music to advance their numeracy and literacy development.
As a result of the students’ success, most schools have been administering the programme across all grade levels.
“Over the life of the programme, we have seen our participants develop, with students reading improving by at least one grade level and each student learning to play at least one instrument. This is the reason we continue to support this programme, because we believe it is working and that we are making a difference,” said Kerrene Grant, manager at FGB Mandeville branch.
Principal Zamrine Tomlin was grateful upon hearing Mizpah Primary was selected for the programme.
“I can say this programme will be a success at Mizpah. The children are already excited about it and they are ready to embrace it,” an upbeat Tomlin said.
Meanwhile, senior education officer at the MOEYC, Marlon Williams, said the ministry realised that students who would normally misbehave are now channeling their energies in the musical instruments. “We thank First Global Bank for helping our children,” Williams stated.
Shelly-Ann Young Murray is the grade-three teacher tasked with the responsibility to administer the programme.
“I think it is a great initiative between FGB and the ministry. I am sure music will enhance the teaching and learning experience at Mizpah.”