FORMER Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding has encouraged young people to grab opportunities as they come along, because there is a scarcity for such opportunities among students who graduate from local institutions.

Golding was addressing school leavers at the Prospect College graduation in St Mary recently.

Golding said the country is not in a position to provide ample opportunities to young people leaving school.

“There is a scarcity of opportunities in Jamaica and the competition for those opportunities available is ferocious,” he told those in attendance.

“Don’t be too proud to look at alternative ways of advancing your lives,” he encouraged the 12 young men leaving the institution, urging them at the same time to be humble when they decide on doing what can enhance their lives.

Golding said that although the opportunities may seem less than they actually deserve, they can be stepping stones to greater things.

He used the opportunity to praise Prospect College for the work it has been doing in moulding the lives of the students at the institution. He reminded the students that being at the school was a privilege and asked them not to take it for granted. Pointing out that they receive an education at no cost to their families, “remember your debt, keep in touch with the college”, he told them.

Golding said that Prospect College was the ideal educational institution for teenagers, since it operated in a sterile environment.

In the meantime, Gregory Wint principal of the

semi-military educational institution for boys in St Mary, said that the school has once again produced a cohort of students who are expected to make a meaningful contribution to the nation.

Of the 12 students who graduated last week from the school which is funded by the Mitchell Green Foundation, eight have been accepted into tertiary institutions and four have already had employment offers.

Wint said that the school’s CSEC average moved from 72 per cent to 84 per cent in 2014. One major area of accomplishment was the significant increase in the passes in Mathematics. According to Wint, the school jumped from a 37 pass rate to 80 per cent.

The school continued its outstanding performance in English with 100 per cent passes in 2014, with the majority of the students receiving a distinction.

The school also continued its track record of 100 per cent passes in Information Technology and Integrated Science.

Wint pointed out that one student, Trevaughn Goulbourne who sat six subjects at the grade 10 level, passed all six — four with distinction and two with credit. Goulbourne, who was the valedictorian at the recent graduation, was 15 years old when he sat the exams. He has been accepted by four tertiary institutions, including Munroe College in New York, United States.

“The students must be commended for staying the course,” Wint said.

Goulbourne, in giving the valedictory speech, said that the boys had grown over their three years at the institution.

“We are leaving today more confident persons than when we first arrived,” he said.

Parents were also excited for the students. One such, Sonia Hamilton, expressed her appreciation to the Mitchell Green Foundation which has provided full scholarship education to the students, which includes boarding accommodation to all.

Hamilton said the boys not only learned academics, but also how to play musical instruments, and were leaving the institution disciplined young men.

The graduates were awarded for their outstanding accomplishments and behaviour over the years. The Sir Harold Mitchell Trophy for good conduct and military discipline went to Kirkland Anderson. Valedictorian Trevaughn Goulbourne received the Mary Jean Mitchell Green trophy for outstanding academic performance, and the Seeton Leader’s Trophy, while Oshane Raymond received the Lady Mitchell Trophy for being most helpful and industrious.