The Rock River Primary School, in Clarendon, has been awarded a grant of $10 million by the Japanese Government, to build a learning centre.

Under the project, to be completed over the next six months, a library and a computer room will be constructed at the institution.

Speaking at the signing ceremony for the fund, at the Embassy of Japan, in St. Andrew, on March 22, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, said he is pleased that the rural school will be able to boost its delivery through the partnership of the two countries.

“The construction of the two additional rooms to be equipped with computer terminals, laptops, multimedia projector, teaching equipment and learning aids, will not only benefit the students, but the citizens of the wider community,” he told the gathering.

Mr. Green also thanked the government for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, which has enriched Jamaicans “culturally, educationally and economically.”  He urged for the programme to remain, and where possible, expanded.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Masanori Nakano, said young students and adults should use the new facilities to improve their lives.

“I always believe that investment in education is one of the most vital investments for the empowerment of people,” the Ambassador said.

Funding of the project is being channelled through the Rock River Foundation, under the Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security project, which has supported various sectors, including education.

For her part, Principal of the school, Marcia Ankle, said the grant will help to improve lives in the community. “When the lives of adults are transformed academically, this will impact their children, thus producing a more literate society, and a better Jamaica,” she added.

Source: Jamaica Information Service