Ministry of Education

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The St. Thomas Technical High School is fulfilling its mission of providing quality education for the nation's children.

With its motto, 'Excellence Through Education,' the institution, nestled in the small community of Orange Grove, has been equipping its students with skills to ensure their personal and career development.

Principal of the School, Phillip Wilson tells JIS News that a number of programmes have been put in place and the school's curriculum improved to help in the students' development.

One such programme, he mentions, is the Heart Trust/ NTA's Technical High School Development Project (THSDP), through which funds are provided for the construction of laboratories for electronics, machine shop, and computer training. The project provides funding for development projects at all 14 technical high schools islandwide.

In addition, he informs, the electricity, building construction, engineering, home economics and agricultural departments have been upgraded and fully equipped. "This has caused the school to move forward in a very efficient and fast paced way. The students have responded well. The exams that we have had at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) tests for the past three years have been tremendous. Every year for the past three years outdid the other," Mr. Phillips says.

The project has also provided for the construction of a fully equipped air-conditioned cosmetology laboratory, costing some $2.5 million. Mr. Wilson informs that while the laboratory is used in the preparation of students for the Level 1 examinations of the National Council for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET), persons from nearby communities as well as teachers have been visiting the facility to get facials, manicures, and pedicures and to have their hair done. "We have allowed the community to use it as an income generation for the school and we've been earning a lot of money," he tells JIS News.

Meanwhile, he says, the school is also installing another computer laboratory estimated to cost $2 million. Mr. Wilson notes that the 30-workstation laboratory now being used was inadequate for the number of students wishing to do computer studies. So far, the new facility has been furnished with 10 computers and another 15 to be installed shortly.

Turning to other projects, Mr. Wilson mentions the agricultural programme in ornamental horticulture, poultry and livestock rearing, which has generated the highest income for the school so far. "We do banana production for the local market, and cash crops, which are sold to the local markets and to parents and teachers," he says. He informs that the funds are used to maintain the welfare programmes at the school and to host events such as Open Day, Teachers' Day and Children's Day.

Another programme, which is helping students to succeed, is the Grade 12 Extension Programme, whereby high school dropouts are given a second chance to complete Grade 11 and to qualify themselves for tertiary education.

Mr. Wilson said that 65 students between the ages 16 to 21 years, were attending classes from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m daily and they are being prepared for the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) tests in June. "This programme is saying to the community, that the school is here to assist you," he indicates.

To aid in the efficient and effective delivery of the school's curriculum,Mr. Wilson tells JIS News that teachers have employed new teaching strategies to improve the ability of students. He mentions strategies such as "brain based teaching and observation of multiple intelligences" and the use of a variety of independent and cooperative learning/teaching methods. "This has borne fruit in a very productive way," he points out.

In addition, the school has been participating in a number of extra curricula activities such as the School's Challenge Quiz, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's parish and national festivals, parish debates and other national competitions. Recently, the school won a Jamaica Information Service's Heritage Debate held at the Anglican Church Hall in Morant Bay.

"The students are exposed and have done a lot of travelling to other parishes where they are involved in debates and in rap sessions," Mr. Wilson says, adding that they are also actively engaged in sporting activities such as track and field, lawn tennis, football, netball, cricket and basketball.

Additionally, he says, students produce a monthly newsletter, "Tech News," which features messages from the principal, short stories, poetry and articles by students as well as articles from members of the community.

Established in 1970, the school, over the last 33 years, has made significant strides having moved from junior high to secondary, before being upgraded to a technical high school in 1988. The school has a population of 1,325 students, 52 teachers, two guidance counsellors, two vice principals and one principal.

Over the years, Mr. Wilson says, the school has been assisted by community enterprises such as the Eastern Banana Estates Limited and the St. Thomas Sugar Company. "From time to time, personnel from these companies have also worked on special programmes at the school," he informs.

One of the challenges facing the institution, Mr. Wilson points out, is the shortage of classroom space, noting that it is difficult to accommodate 1,325 students in a school built for 500 students.

"This school needs an additional six classrooms, because right now we've reached our peak and we can only go further now in our activities and our programmes if we get classrooms," he points out. To circumvent this problem, he indicates, seating have been built around trees on the school's ground, where classes are held and students have their meals.

However, he says, furniture was adequate, since the machine shop at the school has been doing frequent repairs to chairs and desks, especially during the summer holidays.

The principal emphasizes that the students are being challenged to value their education, to take care of the school's property and to keep their surroundings clean.

Despite the challenges, Mr. Wilson points out that the school will "move forward. We've seen the strides, we've seen the successes and we aim to build on these further," he states.

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