Where is Maggotty High solar system?
Published:Wednesday | June 30, 2021 | 12:07 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
As a teacher of the Maggotty High School in St Elizabeth, it is with concern and a bit of chagrin that I put words to paper in an attempt to highlight what I feel is a situation that now warrants public ventilation, and hopefully this will see a resolution of the said matter.
In March 2019, the Maggotty High School participated in and won the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica’s Energy Competition, the prize for which was a photovoltaic solar system to be installed on the school grounds. This was as a result of us reducing our electricity consumption by over 40 per cent, which saw a significant decrease in our electricity bill, and this was lauded as a most momentous achievement, hence our award of first place in the school category of the competition.
The PV solar system was valued at $5 million and was earmarked to be the catalyst for change in our school as it relates to energy consumption, with the stakeholders playing their part in the conservation and apt use of energy.
As can be imagined, we as a school community were most excited and motivated by our win, which was publicised in the print media. However, as of the date of this letter, the system has yet to be received. The question I now pose to the persons in authority is how do I stand before my students and speak to the effective nature of government and good governance?
As a debate coach, I daily speak to, and motivate my charges to be respectful of the government and the laws of the land, and also to be actively engaged in the political process, as their voices matter as citizens.
We have worked hard and are not seeking a handout but only to be justly rewarded as deemed such by the relevant bodies that have engaged us in competition. It is only just.
REWARD FOR HARD WORK
Similarly, we ended up placing as first runners-up in the 2019 edition of the Burger King National Secondary Schools’ Debates, and to date our prize of a hotel trip for the coaches and students has not been forthcoming.
We are making all efforts to continue our excellent performances and all we seek are the rewards we have worked for.
It is hoped that as we seek to build and fashion the generation of choice, that we do not allow the oversight of duty and the reward for work done to go unrewarded, as young minds are watching us.
Let us each help the other to make this land the place to live, work, raise families and do business.
TYCON ALLWOOD
Concerned Educator
Maggotty High School