Marcus Garvey Technical offers rabbits to other schools

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Head of the Agriculture Department at the Marcus Garvey Technical High School in St Ann's Bay, Richard Grant, says the school is ready to offer assistance to other schools that are seeking to develop livestock units.

Speaking to Rural Xpress during the second annual St Ann Agricultural, Industrial, and Food Show in St Ann's Bay on the weekend, Grant said with the assistance of Tedroy Grant of the 4-H Club, the school had been able to develop a rabbit unit that forms the nucleus for rabbit breeding at the institution.

"What we try to do is to donate rabbits to other schools that are interested in having a small livestock unit because a lot of times, these schools don't have the land space to accommodate larger animals," Grant said.

"So what we're saying is if schools out there are interested in a livestock unit, they can contact Marcus Garvey Technical High School and we would be glad to give them a pair of rabbits."

Twelve students from grades nine to 11 made up the team that participated in the show. They highlighted aspects of the school's significant agricultural programme, which sees it providing vegetables and chicken to the canteen to provide meals for students.

A hydroponic unit was also on display as according to Grant, the school is pushing technology in agriculture.

"We're exposing students to non-conventional farming systems because we want students to know there are other ways and methods of cultivating crops," he explained.

Egg production, pig rearing, and apiculture are areas that are also being developed.

Grant said the idea is to give students practical, hands-on experience that goes hand-in-hand with the curriculum to make the learning experience more concrete. This is key, he said, as this takes the curriculum beyond mere theory, so whatever is taught in class can be reinforced in the practical area.

The day at the show was deemed a success.

"We're trying to change the mindset of the general society towards Marcus Garvey Technical High School, so yes, we found it important enough to showcase our school to the wider public here today."