First Global Bank boosting Education

Tamara Wilmott-Buchanan, principal of Parry Town Primary and Infant School in Ocho Rios, St Ann, is optimistic that the introduction of the First Global Bank's (FGB) Music, Perfect Pitch for a Sound Education Programme at her school will boost the numeracy and literacy skills of her students.

She made the observation following the handing over of new musical instruments valued at more than $500,000 to the institution by First Global Bank, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music, at a two-day workshop held in Mandeville, Manchester, recently.

"Currently, the grade-three pupils I have are a mixed-ability group - these students are performing at approximately 48 per cent in literacy and about 42 per cent in numeracy. My expectation is that with the introduction of the programme, literacy performance will be improved to at least 60 per cent, and the numeracy to at least 58 per cent - but it is hoped that we will have 100 per cent literacy and numeracy within the shortest time possible," said Wilmot-Buchanan.

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Kerry-Ann Ramdeen-Johns, marketing officer at FGB, said the bank remained committed to creating a solid future for Jamaica by seeking to equip the emerging young leaders with the requisite skills to function in a very dynamic and technology-driven society.

Ramdeen-Johns continued: "This forms part of our corporate responsibility to empower those who will, in the near future, take over the reins of leadership, placing within their reach the expertise to navigate the ever-changing corporate and social environment."

Chairman of the school board, Ian Bell, has launched an impassioned appeal for stakeholders in the education sector to assist the institution in acquiring the services of a music teacher to begin the implementation of the FGB/MOE music literacy programme this term.