Since the introduction of the "Play" programme into schools across the island, the first vice-president of the National Association of Domino Bodies (NADB) Humbert Davis says he has seen tremendous improvement in the academic performance of students.

Davis explained that the "Play" programme came forward in an effort to aid the student in becoming more productive members of society.

One particular institution that garnered much attention was the St Margaret's Resource Centre as the students there showed vast improvement in academics and their behaviour towards learning.

Davis said that the "Play" programme introduced was excellent in terms of what is called social intercourse.

"To invest in our human infrastructure, we must start in childhood and continue through life, and these exercises are also expected to build confidence and self-esteem in the young ones. Thus, with an aim to focus on areas in which students can use their strengths to build themselves up," Davis told the Jamaica Observer.

Davis said that the "Play" programme was successful in providing academic enrichment activities for students.

"We intended to improve the social and emotional well-being of all students through engagement in the programme; provide robust psychosocial support, and foster improved school, home, and wider community relations," explained Davis.

Keeno Dodd, principal at the St Margaret's Resource Centre, said that the programme offered by NADB was very successful in its drive to improve the student's academic level.

"When he [Davis] brought this formula to St Margaret's Resource Centre I realised that the students and trainees here at the school really gravitated towards it a lot. They are remedial students, and they came to this school to be lifted up, transformed, and relocated back in the high school system," Dodd said.

He continued: "And for some reason, the traditional method was not working out with these students, and when he [Humbert Davis] brought this idea to the school, I realised the transformation.

"Also, some of the domino tables they are made from the carpentry department there. This method that Davis is teaching, it actually worked; you could see the difference in the student's behaviour and a different approach to learning."