THE national discussion on improving secondary education will continue when St Hugh’s Past Students’ Association (SHPSA) presents the panel discussion: “Raising the bar: Promoting a culture of excellence in our secondary schools.

The Thursday, April 30 event is open to the public at the PCJ Auditorium in Kingston. It will begin at 5:00 pm.

Moderated by Adelle Brown, retired chief education officer, the panelists will include:

. Professor Julie Meeks Gardner, senior lecturer and head of the Caribbean Child Development Centre Consortium for Social Research and Development, Open Campus, UWI;

. Jasper Lawrence, chief education officer, Ministry of Education; and

. Albert Corcho, principal of Tarrant High School.

Meeks Gardner conducted one of the few studies on risk and protective factors for aggressive behaviour among Jamaican boys. Her work is providing valuable insights into the development of aggression and violence in Jamaica, and suggests the best targets for interventions to reduce violence.

Since heading upgraded secondary school, Tarrant High, Corcho has been successful in using creative interventions to improve student achievement and general school discipline.

The event is being hosted by the SHPSA in celebration of the school’s 110th anniversary.