Educators honoured for years of service

Three early childhood educators of the Rosehall Basic School in St Catherine were recognised for dedication to education by the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church last Saturday.

The gesture of appreciation was expressed by the Rosehall SDA Church for the school's principal Maureen Brown (22 years), and teachers Judith Prendergast (17 years) and Sadera Francis (eight years) for their combined 47 years in the classroom.

Pastor Sean Williams, in giving the keynote address, thanked the educators for their service to nation-building. He told them that they were operating at a time when the children have many distractions and there is a deficit in moral ethics and values.

"In a time when the nation is very wayward; we are pleased that you have perservered and are impacting lives positively. But it cannot be done without divine intervention," Williams said. "I am indeed pleased that the church appreciates education and ably shows how thankful we are. We can only continue the journey positively, as the nation depends on you," he said.

Chairperson of the school board, Gloria Cunningham, endorsed the clergyman's assesment.

"The school was founded on my verandah, so it is indeed a pleasure to see the teachers getting their deserved recognition here today," she said. The recipients were thankful to have been recognised for the job they have dedicated themselves to.

"We are pleased that the church acknowledged [us] and find it necessay to recognise the effort. I have spent my working life in the classroom here, so it is indeed a pleasure that in addition to other assistance, they remember us for the service given," Brown said.

Recognition was also given to Cunningham and volunteer Eloise Walters for their service to the school.

The Rosehall Basic School was founded 60 years ago; its current enrolment is 44 students.