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Students urged to reject 'alien cultures'
Friday, July 03, 2009
MANDEVILLE, Manchester - Jamaican students have been urged by former Senior Director at the Jamaica Library Service (JLS), Patricia Cuff to reject alien cultures so that the country can return to the days when neighbours looked out for each other and children felt protected.
Cuff, addressing the annual school-leaving ceremony at the St Catherine-based Kitson Town All Age School on Tuesday at the school, said that Jamaicans will have to make a conscious choice.
"We cannot defend our culture, unless we know enough about it. To build a nation we must first understand what the nation is about, and reject those alien cultures that are not suited for our development," she stated.
Speaking on the theme 'Preparing Our Youths to Become Nation Builders', she charged the graduates to make wise choices and build on what their parents have invested in them, as well as the wholesome lessons their teachers have taught them.
"Don't be pushed into any holes by circumstances of life, and say that you can't come out. Follow your dreams, make conscious choices and reach out for your vision; hold to your dreams, seek help and move ahead," she said.
Principal of the institution, Nerica Powell-Hay, reported that at the start of the academic year, parents and teachers assisted in the improvement of the premises and initiated a number of projects that should enhance the learning environment.
The year saw boys outnumbering girls in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results.
She said that the school had high pass rates in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts and communication tasks. Of the 87 students who sat the GSAT, 70 will be going to secondary institutions, while the others will return to Kitson Town All-Age. Kitson Town All Age has a population of over 650 students and 32 teachers.
"Our community groups, business sector, resource personnel and volunteers believe in us and, therefore, held our hands and ran with us. Thanks for your outstretched hands of hope; we hope that you will never be disappointed in us. The seed you sow today will go a far way in preparing our youths to become worthwhile nation builders," Powell-Hay said.
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