BATCH CLOSES GOLDEN CELEBARTIONS WITH GALA
MONEAGUE, St Ann; Sept. 23, 2024
Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams has repeated the Government’s commitment to transforming the education system.
Addressing a group of alumni from the Moneague Teachers’ College, Mrs Williams said the Jamaican Government was committed to building an education system supporting a better quality of life.
The alumni representing Batch 19 were taking part in a weekend of events to celebrate 50 years since they entered the college in September 1974. They were all trained as teachers. Many of them are or were in other professions and vocations including health services, retail trade, and real estate, in Jamaica and overseas.
(Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams congratulating Batch 19)
The gala dinner at Holiday Haven Resort, Runaway Bay, St Ann marked the climax of the weekend of events.
(Recognizing some members of Batch 19 who have received National Honours)
(Hope Harris, head of the Planning and Journal Committeee being commended by Custos Emeritus of St Ann Radcliffe Walters)
Minister Williams said, “There is a lot of hope and a lot of confidence in the education system in Jamaica.” The Minister gave statistics about the education infrastructure in Jamaica and mentioned the developments since the days of the Common Entrance. She said now “every single child has a space in high school.” She also gave details of the recent PEP 5 results, pointing to student performance improvements in the various subjects.
(Former Custos of St Ann Norma Walters raises a toast after reading the remarks of Governor General Patrick Allen,)
The keynote address was presented by former Custos of St Ann Norma Walters who was representing Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. Sir Patrick and Lady Allen are alumni of Moneague Teachers’ College. Sir Patrick’s presentation was mainly about the college and what it meant for Jamaica. He also reflected on how the institution had helped to lay a foundation for him and others.
(Principal of the Moneague College Howard Isaacs congratulates Batch 19 member Hyacinth Henderson Bent after he placed her medal around her neck. All the alumni at the Gala were so honoured)
He said Moneague was more than a college. “It was a community that molded our minds.” The Governor General, in his comments read by the former Custos, said that although the past students had gone into other areas as well as education they had “built on the solid foundation of our training” to become leaders in those fields. The GG said in acknowledging the past and its benefits, the alumni should also “look forward to the future where the legacy of Moneague [College] will continue to thrive.”
EMOTIONAL RETURN FOR ALUMNI OF MONEAGUE COLLEGE
Howard Isaacs Principal of The Moneague College, now a multi-disciplinary institution, thanked the Batch 19 representatives for celebrating the institution. He said he was happy for their reunion and that they went to the college on Friday and saw the transformation. “You came, you toured…you gave,” he said referring to the scholarships made available jointly by the Batch and one offered by Laur Nevers Wilson, also an alumna, from Batch 19.
Emcees were Margaret George and Qubert Beale.
Several presentations were made to recognize achievements of Batch members and to the Planning and Journal Committee that was led by Hope Harris.
After they all received medals for their participation, the members of Batch 19 walked with candles aloft, among their guests, as they sang “Go Light Your World.”
Recording Secretary Evelyn Haughton gave the vote of thanks.
(Several stories relating to the Batch 19 Golden have appeared on the North Coast Times platforms including Website, TikTok and YouTube channel)
Watch the alumni celebrate at the end of the Gala:
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