Trishawna Nelson (left), a student at Westwood High in Trelawny, receives her certificate of participation from Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall (centre) while his wife, Rheima Hall, looks on during yesterday morning's Governor-General's Youth Award of Excellence Breakfast Consultation at the Grand Lido Braco in Trelawny. - Photo by Mark Titus

Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A greater proportion of the national budget should be spent on education and youth development, according to a group of young people in the county of Cornwall who met yesterday with Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall at a breakfast meeting.

"More needs to be done for education," declared Maleeka Hill, head girl of the Black River High School in St. Elizabeth at Professor Hall's Youth Award of Excellence Breakfast Consultation at the Grand Lido Braco in Trelawny. The function was sponsored by the Jamaica National Building Society.

Education is vital

"Education is vital for the future of our country. Currently schools are overpopulated and there is a constant cry for more infrastructure," said Maleeka. This is the consensus of the more than 75 students and teachers who attended the breakfast meeting.

The young Jamaicans also called for a revamp of the agriculture sector, pointing out that "a return to our roots" might be the answer to feeding the nation.

While commending the Prime Minister's recent announcement of free health care for children up to age 18, head of the research team at Westwood High School's Environment Club, Trishawna Nelson, called for a greater emphasis to be placed on the protection and conservation of the environment.

Reiterating his commitment to the development of Jamaica through Jamaica's young, Professor Hall told the participants that the purpose of the exercise was to engage the youths in the development of the country.

"Whenever I am with young people I always have a sense of optimism, an optimism that this country's future is bright," he commented. "That is why I don't agree with the persons who have the notion that Jamaica is making no progress. If this discussion had taken place in the 1960s, half of the schools that are here would not be here."

Now in it's second year, the Governor-General's Youth Award of Excellence initiative is used to seek dialogue with young people, and listen to their concerns.

Three other youth consultation exercises will be held in other sections of the island: the county of Middlesex on June 20; the parishes of Portland and St. Mary on September 19; and October 24 for the remaining parishes in the county of Surrey.

mark.titus@gleanerjm.com