Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterGlenmuir High School, which recently lost the rural schoolboy football title DaCosta Cup is gunning to win the Access to Information Students' Challenge, presented by The Gleaner in association with the Access to Information Stakeholders Committee.
They are seeking accountability for a disaster that occurred in their backyard in Clarendon during the recent heavy rains. They hope that when they do they will get the nod of approval from the judges.
The Glenmuir contingent is seeking documents from the ministries of Land and Housing, National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) and the parish council in order to get to the bottom of the tragedy that occurred at Kennedy Grove recently, where floodwaters submerged several houses.
The team is made up of all upper sixth form students and includes Stacy-Ann Baker, Jermaine Allen, Kadian Davey and Jodi-Kae Bernard.
Stacy-Ann Baker, who is currently studying the arts, told The Sunday Gleaner that the Kennedy Grove saga hits home, literally, and was too close for comfort. "It is in our locality and it is of national importance ... A lot of people were affected and some of them were our schoolmates, so it is kind of close to home," said the young Miss Baker.
Cloverlyn Newman, who teaches communication studies, English language and literature at the Clarendon-based institution, is guiding the Glenmuir contingent. She told The Sunday Gleaner that she thinks the participation of the students would not only enlighten but also empower the young minds to take the initiative in their endeavours.
rough road
However, Miss Newman confessed that the road has been a rough one for her students, who already had tight schedules. "Trust me, I didn't realise it would have been this difficult, because they have so many other things doing," she lamented.
Miss Newman revealed that the initial plan was to delve into the sad situation at the ever-in-the-news-anytime-there-is-significant-rainfall Portland Cottage. However, that plan was abandoned after relentless rains associated with Hurricane Wilma that lashed the island and hid the face of the sun for days, covered several houses in Kennedy Grove. "It was more topical and current (and) because the PM (Prime Minister) ordered an investigation into the incident we thought information must be available," said Miss Newman
The team is now awaiting responses from the ministries of Land and Housing which were asked late November to provide the documents. Requests will be made of NEPA and the parish council shortly.
Glenmuir is among seven schools across the country that are vying for the ATI crown. The competition, which began on October 3, and is slated to culminate on January 19, 2006, is offering monetary incentives to the participants.
Each team must be made up of no more than one teacher, and four students. The team is required to submit four questions to the ATI officers at the relevant ministries or agencies using the appropriate query form. The questions should be of interest or importance to the particular locality or school.
