JC teachers get comfy quarters
Published:Monday | February 4, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer
Administrators at the all-boys institution, Jamaica College (JC), last Thursday cut the ribbon to open a fully furnished 12-bedroom apartment complex on its campus, located along Old Hope Road in St Andrew.
The complex was constructed for rentals to teachers as part of efforts to ease the burden of having to travel long hours to get to and from school.
Addressing the opening cere-mony, JC's principal Ruel Reid said the move was a demonstration of the school's effort to ensure the continued growth of the institution in all areas.
"We try in every way possible to assist and support our teachers so that they can be comfortable, but equally demand returns on investment; we demand performance, and we demand accountability," declared Reid.
Value added
"This is one of the initiatives that we have been able to deliver that will add to the value of the school to make us number one. We can attract well-qualified committed teachers, teachers who will not have to worry about going home long distance in the evening; they are at school all the time and the boys will have access to them for longer hours."
Jamaica College Teacher of the Year, Kerry-Ann Watson, said the complex was a welcoming gift for the educators and that the gift would also redound to the benefit of the student population.
"We acknowledge the privilege of being selected to occupy these 12 flats. These beautiful flats allow us the luxury of our own facilities; hot water and security," she said, adding:
"We would not have been able to afford these in this area on our salaries if it had not been for this initiative. We are grateful for the peace of mind that you have allowed us to experience as we do not have to worry about safety or getting to and from work in a timely fashion.
"These flats will also benefit the students indirectly. Teachers will now be able to use travelling times to prepare for their classes, mark schoolwork or get involved in extra-curricular activities such as clubs and societies."
In the meantime, chairman of the Jamaica College Foundation, R. Danny Williams, in acknowledging the contribution of the school's alumni over the years said: "Everything that we have done at JC over the last 10 years has been a team work. When I look back, I can't help but praise all the JC old boys."
Caption: Ruel Reid (third left), principal of Jamaica College, poses with members of the Jamaica College Old Boys' Association just before the official opening of the Drax Lodge Apartment Building to house teachers from Jamaica College. The old boys are from left: Clement Tomlinson, consulting engineer; L. Mark Taylor, architect; Colin Cooke; Michael Bernard, chairman of the school board; Wayne Robinson, principal, Quality Academics; and Tony Lewars, secretary, Jamaica College Trust. - Ian Allen/Photographer