Government committed to safe environment for schools

Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams, says children in economically and socially disadvantaged communities are at a considerable risk of poor development because of inadequate social services.

“Based on our own experiences here in Jamaica” and studies in different parts of the world, it has been shown that they (students from these communities) are likely to perform poorly in school due to a lack of school readiness.

Minister Williams, who was speaking at the official handing over ceremony of the Salt Spring Safe Passage Project in Salt Spring, St. James on Thursday (January 27), said it is against that background the government has committed to the execution of its Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP 2). It is designed, among other things, to provide a safe environment for students as they travel along specific streets and thoroughfares and use bus stops in certain targeted communities.

These communities, the Minister added, either have a history of social dysfunction or inadequate social infrastructure near to school campuses.

“This Government of Jamaica funded three-year project which started in 2020, is being implemented to improve on or provide the basic amenities needed to contribute to the holistic development of our children,” she noted.

“In essence it is geared towards improving the socio-economic well-being of individuals, families and communities through the provision of better basic social amenities, access to social services and capacity building to enhance the quality of life.”

“I want to commend the management team from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund for overseeing the implementation of this project and getting us to this point,” the Minister added.  

“I also want to acknowledge and express appreciation to the Delegation of the European Union in Jamaica and the Jamaica Constabulary Force for the help and services being provided to make this a success.”

She said the Ministry is particularly pleased that children from two schools “in this area”, Salt Spring Primary and Infant School and the Hartsfield Basic School, that are offering services at the early childhood level, will benefit directly from the project. 

-JIS NEWS-

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