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NSSC installs executive members for 2018-2019

Published:Sunday | November 25, 2018 | 12:00 AMDavid Salmon/Contributor
Contributed
State Minister for Education, Youth and Information Floyd Green (second left) and director of regional educational services in the ministry, Captain Dr Kasan Troupe (left), engage with the newly installed executive of the National Secondary Students' Council (NSSC). They are (from third left): President Fabian Morris; treasurer, Aaliyah Campbell; general secretary, Fabrizio Darby; and public relations officer, Sandrene Campbell. Occasion was the installation ceremony for the NSSC's regional and national executive held on Tuesday, November 20, at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, St Andrew.

The 21-member national and regional executive of the National Secondary Students' Council (NSSC) was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, November 20, at The University of the West Indies in St Andrew. The event was attended by students from 40 schools islandwide.

Specially invited guests included the state minister for education, youth and information (MOEYI), Floyd Green, who was the guest speaker; Captain Dr Kasan Troupe, director of regional educational services in the MOEYI; Hyacinth Blair; senior director in the Children's Affairs Division of MOEYI; and Antonette Dennis, former president of the NSSC.

Other guests included representatives of the Jamaica Union of Tertiary Students (JUTS), the Jamaica Prefects' Association (JPA), the Commonwealth Youth Council, HEART Trust/NTA and other civil society groups.

Dennis first addressed the assembly with her warm greetings and provided a comprehensive review of the NSSC's activities in the previous year. These included the organisation of capacity-building workshops, a student conference and the climax of the NSSC calendar, the implementation of Students' Council Week in February. She reminded the executive to be "cognisant of the decades of legacy that precede you and build, nurture and grow together".

 

Enormous Benefits

 

Blair reminded the audience of the purpose of the NSSC as a "space for students to voice their opinions" and further recognised the enormous benefits that are gained from this youth advocacy group. She said that during 2013-2015, over 4,500 students have been trained in advocacy. Additionally, other milestones mentioned included the development of the organisation's constitution and the facilitation of inter-island youth exchanges.

Minister Green commended the NSSC for being the most "consistent, far-reaching student-led organisation in the Caribbean" and emphasised Jamaica's vision in enshrining the organisation into law long before the rest of the world. The minister underscored the importance of youth involvement in the development of public policy and reminded the audience of the Government's commitment to encouraging this involvement.

The audience was also reminded of the ministry's new initiatives, ranging from 'time-out facilities' to replace suspensions, and the auditing of local student councils, as "well-functioning councils lead to better schools".

In her passionate address, Captain Troupe encouraged students to "level up" by developing a strong belief in self, having persistence, putting service above self, and being seekers of knowledge.

She mentioned her less-than-ideal upbringing - growing up in a violent community and witnessing this violence first-hand from a young age. Regardless, she charged the audience not to let circumstances define them, but have a vision, pursue excellence and be a "lifelong learner", as education is the great equaliser.

For the upcoming year, the NSSC has been challenged to further extend the impact of the nation's student councils.

This was echoed by the NSSC president, Fabian Morris, who said: "Each of us is tasked with the unique responsibility to not just exist, but to make a positive impact. This impact will, in turn, make a meaningful legacy."