Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, is imploring parents to get involved in the education of their children. He noted that students do better when their parents are actively engaged in their school life.

He was speaking at the Sligoville All-age School’s 175th anniversary dinner held at the institution in St. Catherine on May 19.

Senator Reid hailed the institution on its twice per month Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings and called for improvement in attendance, which is at 45 per cent.

The Minister saluted the teachers, parents and wider community for their role in the development of the school.

“This is a possibility-rich institution. Let us remember the rich history of this community and take encouragement and strength from it. No task is greater than our collective will to succeed. I urge all well-wishers of this school to jump in and lend all the positive support you can to further build this community by uplifting your school,” Senator Reid said.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister said he will be seeking to renovate the Highgate Park House, located within the community.

“I will explore whether, through collaboration with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and private sector interests, we can begin to restore that property,” he said.

Highgate House is considered to be the oldest structure in the district of Sligoville, which is Jamaica first free village.

The architectural design of the building is Georgian. It is constructed from cut stone and mortar and was originally a two-storey building with open verandas on both floors.

In 1777, the Jamaican House of Assembly made provision for the building of a summer residence for the governor in Highgate, then known as Government Mountain. The residence was said to be built on the same spot where the 16th century summer palace for Spanish governors was built.

Source: Jamaica Information Service