KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — More than 30 university students in the constituency of West Rural St Andrew have received grants valued at more than $3 million.

Member of Parliament for the area, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, made the disclosure during her contribution to the 2016/17 Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday.

Cuthbert-Flynn said funding was provided through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“Over my tenure as Member of Parliament for West Rural St Andrew, I will be continuing this programme, with more focus being placed on high academic performance,” Cuthbert-Flynn said.

She added that at the primary level she has been developing the mental strength and critical thinking of the young minds by introducing chess in schools with the support of the Jamaica Chess Federation.

The schools selected are Stony Hill Primary and Junior High School, and Red Hills and Lawrence Tavern primary schools.

“These pilot programmes will be assessed at the end of the school year with a plan to expand to more primary schools next year,” the Member of Parliament said.

Meanwhile, Cuthbert-Flynn informed that she is in the early stages of establishing a skills-training centre in the Red Hills area through collaboration with some enthusiastic community members.

“There are many young people without a skill in my constituency, and if we want to move from poverty to prosperity, then persons who cannot go to college must be equipped with the most basic of training to become productive members in society where they can provide for their families,” she said.

“I have identified specific needs for this area and I will be working tirelessly until this becomes a reality,” Cuthbert-Flynn added.