KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid, is urging students to refrain from a life of illegal activities, especially lottery scamming.

“We have had to contend with scamming as a very notorious element of our society. There is nothing that says because you do not have that you have to do things that are unethical or criminal,” he said.

Senator Reid was speaking to students recently during NCB Foundation’s Scholarships and Grants reveal event, and launch of its Innovative, Creative, Outstanding and Nationalistic (ICON) Scholarship, held at The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites in Kingston.

He noted that the effects of lottery scamming are far-reaching as the bad reputation of the country impacts local banks as well as the economy, affecting the tourism sector, a significant contributor to the country’s foreign exchange.

Senator Reid is encouraging students to use their resourcefulness as a means of finding or creating employment.

In the meantime, the Education Minister noted that the National Standards Curriculum which is scheduled to be implemented this September is “the right thing to do at this time”, as it will help to guide students away from a life of crime and towards achieving their fullest potential.

“It provides the evidence of the accomplishments of our education to foster the development of the whole person, enhance lifelong learning capabilities and more importantly, nurture positive values and attitudes towards life and society among students, enabling each to attain all-round development and achievement in the various domains according to their own attributes,” he noted.

With the implementation of the new curriculum, emphasis will be placed on project-based and problem-solving learning, with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics/Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEM/STEAM) integrated at all levels.