Upgrading project for high schools

WALDERSTON, Manchester: GOVERNMENT IS to spend $67 million upgrading the computer and science laboratories in comprehensive high schools recently renamed as high schools.

This was stated by Minister of Education and Culture, Burchell Whiteman last Thursday at a ceremony and exposition to mark the official renaming of comprehensive high schools. The Minister had announced last month that the names of 75 comprehensive high schools would be changed.

At last week's ceremony he said the name change was in recognition of the work they were doing and part of the general efforts to improve their image.

He noted too that people were more comfortable with the "high school" designation and this has been re-enforced by history and local socialisation.

Referring to the displays, Mr. Whiteman said that there was very little difference in the offerings of the traditional high schools and the former comprehensives. The exhibition is a clear indication of the level of work and competence of the students, he added.

President of the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals of Comprehensive High Schools and principal of the host school, Mr. Alphansus Davis said that 45 of the island's comprehensive high schools were participating in the displays.

Mr. Davis said the success of schools could not be measured solely by performance in CXC or GCE examination, but in their ability to transform the lives of students, so that they leave these schools better than they came. "That is what we have been doing, and that is our success story," he said.

The huge attendance at the national function was welcomed by business persons in the town of Spaldings, who enjoyed good sales for the day.

Back to Lead Stories