PM GOLDING CONTINUES TOUR OF SCHOOLS IN HIS CONSTITUENCY

  June 17, 2010

PM GOLDING CONTINUES TOUR OF SCHOOLS IN HIS CONSTITUENCY

PM Bruce Golding continued his West Kingston Constituency tour today (Thursday June 17^th) with a visit to 11 schools.  He applauded teachers at each school for their continued commitment and service to the nation's children particularly during this critical "game changing" period of the country's history.  He said he recognized that the events of the last couple of weeks had impacted the schools and that both teachers and students would have been traumatized.

Encouraged by the PM to share their stories with him, teachers at many schools spoke of their experiences and that of their students.  They shared ways in which they were helping them to cope and overcome the psychological trauma and dislocation some have suffered. 

The PM promised that he would be working with them to "help the process of healing and the restoration of the comfort level that they need". "We are going to be helping those whose houses were damaged, and we are going to be providing assistance for those who lost loved ones".

The PM assured the teachers that the recent law enforcement operation in West Kingston was just the beginning of a comprehensive transformation programme that would address social and institutional needs and address voids that need to be filled.  The State, he said, must assert not just its authority but its responsibility.