THE Jamaica Information Service (JIS) has added a new segment to its flagship Jamaica Magazine programme, in the form of School Zone, a 15-minute feature that highlights non-traditional high schools across Jamaica.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of the JIS, Donna-Marie Rowe, has described School Zone as a lively and interactive programme that gets into the psyche and lingo of young people.

“JIS hopes to involve young people in the business of governance and seeks to help them articulate their own understanding of Government’s policies and programmes and how these affect them,” Rowe explained, pointing out that the show highlights the positive happenings of various schools.

She said contrary to common belief, all is not lost as young people are working hard, coming up with new and innovative ideas and School Zone will showcase it all.

School Zone, which airs every Friday during Jamaica Magazine, is the brainchild of JIS television producer, Ramona Lawson, who explained that the idea for the show came about as a result of her desire to do something exclusively for young people.

“School Zone makes a difference in terms of what I see happening these days, and youths not having a clear sense of who they are, and also becoming discouraged by so many things around them. I just wanted to give them something to boost their self- esteem in some sort of way,” she said.

Meanwhile, television manager for JIS, Shelly-Ann Harris, said that there are high hopes for School Zone.

“School Zone is a positive uplifting programme that serves to inspire the youth and engages them in airing their issues. We want to maintain the momentum as well as to ensure that we reach as many children as possible,” she said.

Harris said School Zone reflects the ongoing Transformation Programme from the Office of the Prime Minister and is really a transfer of values that are necessary to equip young people for the future.

According to the producer, School Zone has been getting a good response from the various schools, and students are very excited to become involved in the show.

“When we go to the schools, the students prepare for us. They get their classes ready, and prepare various talent pieces. The students feel comfortable discussing certain things with us, and even though it’s entertainment, it’s also therapy for most of the students who wouldn’t otherwise have an outlet to discuss the issues that are really troubling them,” she said.

The discussion topics range from bleaching, to parent and child relationship, to what not to wear in school, and students are the centre of these discussions, as the show is all about giving the youth an outlet to have their voices heard.

School Zone has four main segments – a main feature, which highlights a school that has distinguished itself in one way or another; a talent section entitled ‘I’m so special’; a rap session; and a segment where Government ministers or heads of Government agencies address a policy framework or give advice on the issue being discussed.