A programme designed to improve discipline at Ascot High School in Portmore has received a $100,000 boost from FirstCaribbean International Bank (Jamaica) Limited, under the financial institution’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

Bank executives Christopher Denny, director retail banking, and Stacy Adams, administration and marketing manager, participated on September 24 in a behaviour modification seminar at the school. The seminar was designed to bring students into contact with “accomplished members of the society, to inspire hope and to help mould responsible citizens”, according to Shannell Talbert, a dean of discipline at Ascot High and an administrator for the programme.

The seminar complements a behaviour modification programme begun at the school in August, following a spate of violent incidents – including the stabbing of a teacher. Seminar presenters included counsellors of the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology and a behaviour change team from the Ministry of Education’s Citizen Education Programme.

“The behaviour modification programme aims to effect behaviour change in disruptive students and to reduce indiscipline in general at Ascot High while helping to develop well-rounded individuals,” said Talbert.

Noting that the behaviour modification programme currently includes a group of students from grades seven to nine, the dean of discipline added that “FirstCaribbean Bank’s participation and sponsorship of the behaviour modification seminar will benefit the students tremendously.”

“The students are pleased to know that there is still hope for them as a prominent company like this has seen the need to invest in them thus giving them the aspiration to become better citizens of Jamaica and to make positive contributions as men and women of tomorrow,” Talbert said further.

Denny said the bank was happy to help.

“FirstCaribbean is pleased to be in a position to support a programme that is already beginning to have far-reaching impact on the students of Ascot and by extension, the wider Portmore and Jamaica community,” he noted.

Adding that the bank will open its 13th branch in Portmore in November, Denny said: “FirstCaribbean International Bank (Jamaica) Limited has a vested interest in the people of Portmore. The students at Ascot, like students all over the island, must have confidence in our public and private institutions and we have a responsibility to assist where we can in moulding our young citizens.”