Negril, Westmoreland – Prime minister and president of the People’s National Party P J Patterson, who has made it clear that he will not lead the PNP into the next general elections which are constitutionally due by 2007, but who has not given a firm departure date, hinted Saturday night that he would still be party leader next May.

That is when he will hand out the first batch of medals of appreciation to teachers who have made significant contributions to education in Jamaica.

“I don’t believe that I am giving away any timetable secret when I say I hope to make the first presentation next year in education week,” he said Saturday evening, during a dinner to honour teachers in his Eastern Westmoreland constituency.

Education week is celebrated during the first week of May every year.

The medal of appreciation, Patterson said, would be an annual award to teachers who have served their communities and country with distinction, and have made a significant contribution to the island’s economic, social, cultural or political development.

He was speaking to almost 350 teachers at the annual dinner, which was this year held at the recently-opened Riu Club Hotel in Negril.