THEY travelled from all over Jamaica, some able-bodied, a few almost too frail to strut their stuff, but all beaming with pride and delight as they walked to the lectern inside the Jamaica Pegasus to collect their token of appreciation for service to Jamaica’s education system over the 61 years since the establishment of the Ministry of Education.

Sixty people, among them retired and current school principals, teachers, education officers, permanent secretaries past and present, administrative and ancillary workers, some wearing their finest outfits, turned up at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston last Wednesday for the Ministry of Education’s 60th Anniversary Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

One veteran educator who was among several, who could not hold back the joyful tears, said: “I have never felt so appreciated in all my life.” And for former chief education officer, Wesley Barrett, a thousand kudos should be extended to the ministry for its effort to recognise the contribution of the educators and support staff.

The event was the culmination of several activities, which began late 2013 with a church service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, to mark the ministry’s milestone.

In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Elaine Foster Allen lauded the awardees and made it clear that many other persons were worthy of such accolade. “All the persons being awarded tonight are deserving of honour. They have served the ministry in various capacities from ancillary services to the office of minister. Many others have also served with distinction but we selected only a few to recognise as a representative group on this occasion. And we are certain they will receive their awards in that spirit,” said Foster Allen.

Her sentiments were echoed by Education Minister Ronald Thwaites, who thanked both the “sung and unsung heroes” of the education system for their contribution to the development of Jamaica.

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who spoke on behalf of Opposition Leader and Spokesman on Education, Andrew Holness, also commended those who served the country’s education system over the past 60 years. She noted that Jamaica has made significant strides in the development of its education system, but should continue to advance the initiatives of the transformation programme to enable the wholesome development of the nation’s youth.

Jamaica Teachers’ Association President Dr Mark Nicely, who spoke on behalf of the teachers’ union, commended the ministry for conceptualising the event and for taking time to say thanks to educators who have served the nation, and who through their profession have expressed genuine love for Jamaica’s children.

Guest speaker and special awardee, Ambassador Burchell Whiteman, commended the awardees on their achievement and suggested that the country will benefit tremendously from one of the ministry’s latest initiatives — the National Standard Curriculum — which will replace the existing curricula at grades one to six and six to nine.

Among the awardees, for their contribution to the education sector, were: Professor Errol Miller, Dr Alfred Sangster, Rev Jeffery McKenzie, Dr Henrietta Stewart, Byron Farquharson, Margaret Bowie, Basella Tai, Sharon Reid and Woodburn ‘Woody’ Miller.

Jamaica’s Ministry of Education and Social Welfare was established on June 1, 1953 and was mandated to preside over the general direction and control of the education system. The policy direction of the ministry then was to provide free elementary education from ages 7 to 15, and to extend the area in which such education could be made compulsory.