Principal requests name change for SJPP
Tue, 08/23/2016 - 12:00am
By:
Regina Selman Moore
The Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) should be renamed the Samuel Jackman Prescod Technical and Vocational College.
Principal of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, Hector Belle, issued the call for the name change as he delivered the Principal’s Message during a ceremony held in the SJPP auditorium yesterday, to herald the visit of the Commemorative Broken Trident.
“I think there is need for us to consider a change of name from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, to the Samuel Jackman Prescod Technical and Vocational College which, in my opinion, would do a lot to encourage our students to even (achieve more) and excel in their areas of study,” Belle said in the presence of Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ronald Jones and Chief Education Officer, Karen Best.
Belle also commented that further development of technical, vocational and educational training, should see the institution training persons beyond the diploma level.
Acknowledging that the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic has always been noted for its dynamism in the development of curriculum in response to the need of industry, Belle also stated the following, “This juncture of our history now requires reassessment of our ever changing environment, with a view on how best we can contribute more effectively and efficiently to the desired social change. Our curriculum has enabled many students to realise and succeed as tradesmen, but there is a greater need to shift the focus on building a just and civil society.”
Education Minister Ronald Jones, during his feature address, acknowledged the call for a name change, but noted that he would need Belle and the SJPP board members to make a formal application, outlining the purpose of and benefits of such a change.
“I am hearing the Principal trying to nudge the hard heart and the hard head of the Minister and he is calling a name, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Technical and Vocational College,” Jones remarked.
“Let me say to you, it is not difficult to go through name adjustments, but name adjustments must have a total purpose. What is it you want to achieve? Why the change etc. etc. and I await the communication from the Broad and the principal as to why it should be considered. I await that. Don’t take too long,” Jones told Belle and members of the board present.