The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, has launched an Association of Basic School Principals in the Greater August Town Community and Papine as part of its University Township Project aimed at building positive community relationships and playing a leading role in the development of early childhood institutions in the surrounding communities.

Mona principal, Professor Gordon Shirley, officially launched the association and signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the University; and Yvonne Turner, president of the Association of Basic Schools and principal of the Mona Commons Basic School signed on behalf of the basic schools at a ceremony held June 17 at the UWI, Mona. Participating schools are: Mona Common Basic School, Shalom Pre-School, Hermitage Basic School, Escarpment Road Basic School, August Town SDA Basic, Goldsmith Villa Basic School, Covenant

Basic School, Church of Christ Basic School

and Christ the King Basic School.

Under the MOU, UWI will assist the basic schools to qualify for certification by the Ministry of Education. The UWI School of Education will also assist in the development of the schools' curriculum and work on upgrading the skills and competencies of teachers and principals. In the photo are some of the teachers and basic school children who attended the ceremony.

- Aston Spaulding