KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Principal of the Windward Road Primary and Junior High School in Kingston, Norman Malcolm, is among over 170 Jamaicans who will be conferred with National Honours and Awards by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, at Kings House on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 21.

Malcolm will receive the Badge of Honour for long and faithful service to education, adding to his already impressive résumé of awards.

Other honours which the distinguished educator has received include: the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education; the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited’s (JPS) Golden Torch Award; and the Ministry of Education’s Teacher of Excellence Award. He is also a two-time Lasco Principal of the Year nominee.

Windward Road Primary’s vice principal, Noel Pennant, who nominated Malcolm for the National Award, describes him as a very interactive principal.

“I nominated Mr. Malcolm because I believed it was time for him to be recognised for the work he has been doing. He has a passion for all things that are educational. He locates resources and ensures that his teachers and students have all they need to function adequately and progress. He is very deserving of this award,” Pennant said.

Malcolm, a man of humble origins who has excelled through education, says he has made it his mission to facilitate a similar experience for his students.

“Education is responsible for where I am today. And if it did that for me, I am entrusted to ensure that it does the same for everyone who comes under my care; that is my daily drive. So it, sometimes, makes no sense (that) I have an office, because my job is to be on the school grounds, in the classroom, where everything is happening,” he says.

With the help of his staff, Malcolm has piloted several initiatives at the school including the construction of a computer lab and a reading room, through a $26 million-funding from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

This particular initiative has served to strengthen the relationship between the school and residents of adjacent communities, who were recruited to carry out construction activities.

“The wall at the school gate says: ‘The School Belongs to the Community, Protect It’…we strongly believe this. We have not had a break in for the past 10 years (as) community members protect the school. We enjoy an extraordinary relationship with community,” Malcolm says.

And under Malcolm’s stewardship Windward Primary’s academic performance has improved significantly, partly attributable to his firm belief in the use of technology to advance the institution’s learning/teaching experience.

Through this thrust, the institution has, among other things, been able to win the ‘Flow in My School Technology Competition’, which identifies and recognises institutions that integrate technology in their curriculum.

“We are proud to say that we were able to challenge some traditional high schools and we came out as victors. We also take pride in the fact that we are the leaders in the initiative to integrate technology and education,” a proud Malcolm says.