KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) under its Community Renewal Programme has been working with five communities to assist approximately 200 children by providing free extra lessons, in their last lap efforts to prepare for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).  

The light and power company said that they have also been seeking to empower residents, with a view to improving their quality of life in the communities of McGregor Gardens, Majesty Gardens and Payne Land in Kingston; Ellerslie Gardens and Tawes Meadows in St Catherine; and Russia in Westmoreland.

JPS Programme Manager in the Customer Service & Communications Division, Marilyn McDonald, noted “JPS has worked closely with these communities over the last year and we have developed a relationship with the community members.  

She added that some residents are experiencing difficulties in giving the children the extra support that they need, “so we felt it was important for us to reach out and help. Investing in our children and their education is important to us. We want to see them maximise their potential”.

The programme, which has engaged trained teachers from the community, is being undertaken at a cost of $3.29 million.

It is one component of the Youth Education Recreation (YER) initiative, developed by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). YER is a youth development programme that has been in operation for several years giving support to many vulnerable communities through partnership with the Community Development Commission (CDC).