MANGO VALLEY, St Mary — Saddened by what he said is a dearth of honourable people in Jamaica today, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey is hoping a batch of 12 male graduates from his alma mater have the self-respect needed to be good men.

“There is a get rich syndrome that is permeating the entire society, and if it means that they have to remove you out of their way and trample [you] under their feet that is how they are going to do it. Honourable people are very hard to find in this society…It begins with self-respect, which is important to create your own world,” he said to the boys during his keynote speech at last Saturday’s graduation ceremony at Prospect College in St Mary.

“Respect for self is the foundation of life; it determines the size, shape and ultimately the stability of your life. We must lay a foundation of morality and ethics which is important to survive,” he added.

“When I was at this school there were some basic fundamental values instilled in us by our teachers. I used to clean the classroom, spread my bed and clean the barracks that I stayed. So I ask that you graduates go out into the world and represent your school and yourself well. We need to get back to those core values where we teach our children to respect themselves and each other as this is very important if you want to survive as an individual,” he said.

Bailey said that while speaking with a member of the graduating class it became evident that the change needed to be self-respecting individuals who will have a positive impact had taken place within the cohort during their three years at the school. He urged them to stay clear of bad influences as they move forward.

The boys, neatly clad in yellow and blue uniforms, listened keenly before cadet captain and member of the graduating class, Shemar Fisher, gave the vote of thanks. He told Bailey that his speech had resonated with him and his schoolmates.

“I feel very proud to be here today to listen to your speech and so are the graduates. We listened as you spoke to us about self-respect and how we should use it to guide ourselves through life. I also feel good to know that you came to [this] school and you are now a [deputy] commissioner of police. This shows me that I too can achieve great things,” said Fisher, who was also given an award for his stellar academic performance within his batch.

With the school’s help, all 12 graduates have passports, bank accounts, summer jobs and have been accepted to tertiary institutions.

Member of Parliament of St Ann South Western Krystal Lee urged them to make the most of the head start they have been given.

“We are going through very tough times and as you go out there you will continue to face challenges; nothing good in life comes easy. We see a lot of young men who decide to go the easy way to make quick money but it doesn’t end well and that is what creates the terror in our society,” said Lee.

“You have been given a firm foundation here at Prospect College, a good opportunity. I want to encourage you to make the best of it and a difference in this life. You were born with a purpose so find out what that is and work towards it by putting God first,” she added.