MONEAGUE, ST Ann — Several students at the Moneague Teachers’ College Early Childhood Institution are expected to make a smoother transition to the primary level following the opening of a new section to the school recently — the latest in the Sandals Foundation Project Sprout — in partnership with the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ).

Director of programmes at Sandals Foundation Heidi Clarke was among those who expressed joy that the project was being implemented at the the rural institution.

“It’s a pleasure to see Project Sprout introduced in a new school,” she said. It was made possible, she added, through donations from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), which agreed to sponsor the Sandals Foundation project at the school.

Clarke told attendees at the ceremony held to officially open the Project Sprout Department at the school, that the Sandals Foundation strongly supported early childhood education, as she expressed pleasure at the possibilities presented by Project Sprout.

According to Clarke, Project Sprout aimed to help prepare students to go on to the primary level, strengthen teacher quality, and increase parental involvement and to provide material for learning.

The project includes a specially designed room with computers for the children and is also equipped with other learning material.

The Moneague Teachers’ College Early Childhood Institution is the fifth school in Jamaica where the project is implemented. Eighteen students have so far been identified to participate in the first phase of the project at the school.

Clarke said the project has been reaping success in other institutions, with over 90 per cent of the students in the programme showing readiness for grade one. In addition, parental involvement in the students’ lives has increased, Clarke said.

Another aspect of the programme includes classes for parents where they are taught life skills.

Monica Ladd, a representative of the AFJ, said the project stood out for the organisation and so, when the Sandals Foundation applied, they came on board.

“We believe that it is young people who are going to change this country for the better,” she said.

Principal Janice Keene and her staff were grateful for the implementation of Project Sprout in the institution.

She said after much frustration and seeking help from various organisations to address the many concerns at the institution, she was grateful for the assistance being given to the school.

“This is for the good of our students, our school and the wider community,” she said.

She used the opportunity to call on others to support the school which has other challenges.

Lisa White, board chairman, was very grateful for the project being implemented at the school. “Thanks for seeing the potential for success in this institution,” she stated.