Forty persons who have made outstanding contribution to the advancement of education in Jamaica, are to be honoured with the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller will present the awards at a ceremony slated for Wednesday, June 24 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, starting at 6:30 pm. She will also deliver the main address at the function.

Among this year’s recipients is the Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Dr Grace McLean, who has given over 26 years of service to education.

The others recipients are: Verica Bennett, Norma Adassa Bernard-Powell, Joyce Hope Blackwood, Melton Blackwood, Pauline Elaine Brown, Juliet Ione Christie Murray, Merlene Mae Clarke-McKoy, Dr Cecil Cornwall, Roy Joslyn Ebanks, OD, Morris Omar Edwards, Sonia Veronica Fry, Monica Louise Golding, Millicent Graham, Cecelia Grant-Francis, Althea Joan Hamilton, Ronald Arthur Hamilton, Jennifer Hylton Lee, Howard Raymond Isaacs, Claudette Sylvia Jones, Claudette Cecilyn Kerr, Lorna Elaine Kidd, Direna Elfreda Lewis, Lewin Adalbert Lewis, Anett Morage Malcolm, Alica Antoinette Morgan Bromfield, Vivie Veronica Mothersill, Rev Canon Peter Alexander Mullings, OD, Cynthia Yvonne Mundy Martin, Carol Susan O’Connor Clarke, Calmalyn Mae Perry, Fritz Hire Pinnock, Collington Ainsworth Powell, Yvonne Elaine Powell-Panther, Radley Denzil Reid, OD, Samuel Sebastian Roberts, Anita Elizabeth Steer, Larine Mae Thompson-Hutchinson, Marjorie Ann Tracey, and Georgia Maxine Waugh Richards.

The award is given to a teacher, who has served for a minimum of 15 years, who has displayed exceptional service in the teaching profession, and has shown evidence of community involvement and creativity in the service given.

Educators involved with uniformed groups and programmes that foster the development of the community and, creativity in the service rendered, may also be considered for the award.

Award recipients are citizens of Jamaica, but in exceptional circumstances, a non-citizen may be recommended for the honour.