New York, USA — A Texas-based non-profit body, Jamaica Yes, as well as another US-based insurance giant, Globe Life Insurance, have combined with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education to establish an information technology centre at the Belfield Primary School in central St Mary.

Established at a cost of $4.6 million, the computer lab at the centre is already fully equipped, and there are plans by the school to engage the HEART/NSTA Trust to provide technical skills in computer technology that can benefit the wider Belfield community.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, principal of the school, Michael Calvert said that he would also be offering the services of the centre to the neighbouring Bromley and Clonmel primary schools, providing their programmes meet the requirements.

He vowed to work to ensure that as many persons as possible outside the immediate school community– which has a student body of 120– and who can benefit from the services of the centre could do so.

Apart from the Information Technology Centre, Belfield primary also operates a successful chicken-rearing project, Principal Calvert said, adding that returns from the project are used to augment the school’s feeding programme and to further expand the project.

Belfield is considered one of the top-performing primary schools in St Mary with strong support from a vibrant past student association. It lists among its alumni top-flight attorney Hugh Wildman when it operated as an all-age school.

This year’s top female achiever Raias Russell will be heading to nearby St Mary High School while Jordan McBean, the top male achiever who excelled in mathematics, science and athletics, is headed to Calabar High.

Former principal of the school, Milton G Hanchard, who has been instrumental in coordinating the assistance, said students will be assisted with the traditional books and educational materials as well as funding for registration.

He noted that registration fees had become exorbitant in recent years and is an area which needs special attention.