ROSE HALL, St James - Noting the success of the 'Music, A Perfect Pitch for a Sound Education' programme in their schools, teachers at the Bickersteth Infant and Primary and the John Rollins Success Primary Schools in St James have called for the continuation of the project, which came to an end in October.

The calls were echoed recently when representatives of the GraceKennedy- owned First Global Financial Services (FGFS) visited the schools to donate consignments of books, as part of another aspect of FGFS' educational development programme.

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with First Global Financial Services and its sister company First Global Bank launched the 'Music, A Perfect Pitch for a Sound Education' programme in six schools in St James, Manchester and Kingston in October 2011, which ended three months ago.

Over $1 million was spent under the initiative to fund the programme.

The project was aimed at aiding students primarily at the grade three level, in developing their literacy skills across all subject areas — an objective which has been described by teachers as thoroughly taught through and ultimately meeting its achievements.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the First Global Financial Services team for the music programme they had instituted in our school, which has truly enhanced the students' learning ability," said Erica Evans, a senior teacher at Bickersteth Infant and Primary.

"We can say without any doubt that our students have benefited tremendously from the programme. The children simply liked it and we have seen where we are already developing budding musicians," she stressed.

Vertibelle Clarke, a grade three teacher at that institution said students welcomed the music programme when it started.

"We told them it would have helped them to improve their skills in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, art and music. It enhanced their learning ability overall," Clarke said.