National Inter- School Brigade Award Ceremony

After ten years of successful existence the National Inter School Brigade (NIB) deemed it necessary to formally highlight and extend gratitude to the companies/ agencies that over the years with their assistance led to Brigade's growing success. On Sunday November 21, 2010 at the Jamaica Police Academy (JPA) an award ceremony was hosted by the NIB to highlight the sponsoring agencies and the cadets that were excelling and demonstrating the positive attitudes that the programme was established to evoke from enrolled children. Prior to the ceremony the cadets engaged in the rigorous drills that they were taught, they saluted their officials and were inspected, upon the approval of their physical appearance by the Parade Instructor they filed into the Ceremony Hall. 

ACP Les Green greeted the audience and addressed the Cadets saying it doesn't matter what challenges you face today because in the future things could be much different just be resolute and make the right choices. Mrs. Mary McDonald Nichols representative of the MInistry of Education expressed that 99.9% of the standards set by the NIB is where it needs to be. She said by God they would lead the change.  

The day consisted of several persons giving speeches as to their beliefs on the effectiveness of the NIB program, these persons were inclusive of Principals, Ministry members, political officials and even the cadets themselves. Mrs. Dorothy Taylor principal of Marverley Primary and Junior High School voiced that she had seen where students have matured and become role models. She stated that there were many extra curricula activities but none have outdone the NIB programme. Courage she highlighted is need as a young person to survive in Jamaica, she urged them "Now is the time to go out lead on in dignity."

Superintendent James Forbes in charge of the Community Safety and Security Branch of the JCF delivered a motivational speech to the cadets emphasizing that being cadets had now placed them in the role of leaders and being effective leaders required that they set examples and stand apart from their colleagues. His address was  followed by that of Kevin Marsh the man in charge of the instigation and establishment of the programme. Mr. Marsh's admission was that the NIB's creation was not mere coincidence, and its sustenance is the work of the Almighty. He boasted that this model due to its success was implemented across Alberta Canada, which proves that it has not been only successful to Jamaican children  but has broken barriers and is now affecting the world.

Mrs. Lisa Hanna(M.P) Opposition Spokes person on Youth proclaimed that if she had to put forward something in Jamaica as its greatest creation that is making transformational  the NIB would be it. She expressed that her belief is that the NIB programme should be in every high school in Jamaica, "You are who we are depending on for the survival of out country."

Finally the Cadets were inducted and awarded for their performances. Agencies were highlighted for their contributions such as: Food for the Poor, Canadian High Commission, Munimar Supermarket, United Nation Development Program (UNDP), Supreme Ventures Limited, National Youth Service.

Jamaica Police Academy Passing out Parade: “Batch 93”.

On Thursday November 11th starting at exactly 9:30 a.m. one hundred and seventy one student constables gathered at Tranquility Bay in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth for their ‘Passing out Parade’. This ceremony marked their formal transition from civilian to law enforcement officer. After sixteen (16) weeks of training the graduands marched in perfect unison anxiously awaiting their individual drill instructions. The Reviewing Officer was Mrs. Dianne McIntosh Permanent Secretary, representing the Minister of National Security Mr. Dwight Nelson. Throughout the ceremony the graduates stood attentively and periodically demonstrated drills that they were taught during their training and it made evident the emphasis that was placed on precision and discipline.

Treasure Beach provided the perfect tranquil backdrop for the graduation. At intervals when there was silence whilst awaiting the arrivals of officials, the total serenity of the scenery was comforting. The arrival of officials such as: the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of training Mr. Delworth Heath, Acting Commissioner of Police Ms Jeven Bent and Permanent Secretary representing the Minister of National Security Ms Dianne McIntosh. The arrival of these officials was signaled by motor cycle escorts and the sound of police sirens. Upon arrival they each took the Saluting Dias and were awarded the appropriate salutes. The ceremony was narrated by Superintendent James Forbes head of the Community Safety and Security Branch of the JCF and District Constable Sashelle Gooden of the same Branch, throughout the programme they explained the proceedings to the audience.

Following the arrival of the officials the Reviewing Officer gave permission to the Parade Commander to inspect the parade. The Reviewing Officer then inspected the parade and after her satisfaction of their appearance she gave permission for its resumption. After more drills and marches the official ceremony began. Graduates were given awards to acknowledge their participation, completion and exemplary display for the training period.

Persons who were awarded were: Kaydean Cunningham for Best Christian Principles, Ryan Nelson for Core Values and Principles, Dave Jackson for Best Leadership Qualities, Shawn Henry for Highest Mark obtained in Law and Racquel Young for Most Disciplined and Best All Round Performance.

The main address was delivered by Ms. Dianne McIntosh Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security. She highlighted that the role of the police officer is so varied that it is important to be prepared for any eventualities. She emphasised the important traits of a police officer which included: a calm demeanour, confidence, compassion, reliability and patience. She concluded her address by beseeching the graduates to, “Go forward and play your part in securing Jamaica land we love.”

Safe School Conference: "Schools' Safety and Security- Partnership in Action"

If the numbers that gathered at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Wednesday October 13th was indicative of the persons who are actively interested and ready to institutionalize Safety and Security within Schools then it would be safe to say that Safety and Security was an inevitable success awaiting our education system. The conference centre was filled with: Principals, Guidance Counsellors, Deans of Discipline, Student Resource Officers, Students and all other stakeholders that play a part in the creation of a safer haven within the school's physical perimeter for its attending members. The conference which was an collaborative effort by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Health, the JCF and USAID was focused on gathering stakeholders together and further imparting to them the purpose of the programme, the importance of their roles and co-operation to the programme, the implications of the success of the programme to the wider society and also allowing them a forum to clarify all inhibitions and concerns they might have concerning potential hindrances to the programme's success. The media was present as the importance to make the wider society aware of the initiative and dedication of the associated Ministries and other contributing members to making schools the safe and secure academic unit that it should be was of primary importance.

Ms. Sherrian Gray, Policy Manager, Social Intervention Coordination and Public Order MInistry of National Security provided an overview of the Safety and Security Programme highlighting that the programme was launched with the mission of reducing incidents of violence by 40% in three years. The programme she furthered expressed was built on some key principles inclusive of: student centeredness, dialogue and intervention. Miss Nadine Malloy, President of the Jamaica's Teachers' Association (JTA) acknowledged the importance of the conference, she stated that everyone should give of their time to mentor our young people. She appropriated a quote from Herman Melville (sailor and author), "We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects." Miss Malloy also made a charge to the Ministry of Education to take the lead in making our schools a better place. All other authoritarians that were in attendance of the conference all voiced a similar view that the conference was an excellent starting point and with the dedication and co operation of all persons the programme had great potential to efficiently address the plaguing problem of crime and deviance in schools. Dr. Karen Hilliard, Mission Director of the UNited States Agency of International Development commended the numbers that were in attendance postulating that if the numbers demonstrated the depth and breadth of relationships that had to be and could be maintained to ensure safer schools then it sure looked promising. She further stated that development was not what Americans did in Jamaica but what Jamaicans did in Jamaica with a little assistance. She extended gratitude to UNICEF and USAID Comet saying that all things were possible with their support. The innovation of placing Student Resource Officers in schools she deduced as clever as she thought that the school was the perfect place to learn that the police was not to be feared but thought of as a friend and a source of protection.


Other persons that made presentations/ speeches representing the agency/institution which they represented were: Mr. Andre Stephens President of the National Secondary Students' Council, Mrs. Carla Francis-Edie, CEO, Child Development Agency, Mr. Robert Fuderich, United Nations Children's Fund Jamaica Representative, Senator Basil Waite, Opposition Spokesperson on Education, Mr. Alphansus Davis, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Education, Superintendent James Forbes, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Miss Valeen Calder, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Jamaica Constabulary Force. Testimonials were also given from Principals and other authoritarians from Schools which have previously institutionalized the programme. Each testimonial highlighted the safety measure modifications made to teach school. The keynote address was delivered by the Minister of Education Honorable Andrew Holness, he gave special recognition to UNICEF in administering the policy for Safe Schools and he also extend special thanks to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Owen Ellington who was unavoidable absent but was represented by Mrs. Novelette Grant the Deputy Commissioner of Police. His words further emphasized and echoed the beliefs of previous presenters that the business of safety and security is not just solely a matter for the police but had to be a joint approach. He clarified that the school was more than just for academics but also the main socializing arm of the state. Institutional arrangements of thirty years ago is insufficient to deal with the issues of today. His views were that, thirty years ago we had a strong value system while today it is influx. Students, he continued, now have access to so much information that it changes the power structure relationship between the student and the teacher and between the parent and the child. In closing to that point he explained that it was one thing to have information but if it can't be used for benefit it can lead down a path of deviation. His address highlighted new strategies being adopted by his ministry to respond to the safety problem including a newly institutionalized National Students Registry, which presents a unique identifier to each child within the education system which he says hopes to trace progress of child from their entry to their exit.

The exhibtions of brochures, pamphlets and other collectible materials defining different aspects of the programme lined the lobby area leading to the conference room. The conference left no doubt in everyone's mind that was present that the key to a better society could well be reached through the success and dedication to this programme. It was well put by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in her address when she stated, "We all have to take responsibilty because at the end of the day the children are modeling behavior they have seen from us."