In an effort to educate more primary schools about the importance of environmental health, the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health, in association with the Black Rock, Winston Scott and Randal Phillip Polyclinics, will initiate a Primary Schools Quiz Competition on Mosquito and Rodent Control in 43 primary schools next month in these three catchment areas, the polyclinic serve.
The Quiz will commence with two preliminary rounds, to be held on Friday, November 13 and Friday, November 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Lester Vaughan Secondary School, Cane Garden, St. Michael.
Minister of Health, Donville Inniss and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Patrick Todd, will address the first preliminary on November 13, at 10:00 a.m.??
Senior Environmental Health Officer, Maurice Gaskin, noting that the competition previously targeted schools in the catchment areas of the Warrens, Maurice Byer and St. Philip Polyclinics, said it had to be extended. He explained: "It is important that all children know about vectors and rodents and the diseases they cause. We hope that the children will become their school’s own environmental officers assisting in preventing and controlling the incidence of dengue and leptospirosis in their home and school environs."
Adding that the Quiz reflected that aspect of the Ministry of Education’s curriculum which aimed to test children’s knowledge in health science, Mr. Gaskin said when students are educated about vectors and rodents they can help to enlighten others. "We are not only educating the students but the teachers and ancillary staff during the exercise," he added.
The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday, December 4 while the finals will be on Friday, December 11, at the Lester Vaughan Secondary School from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.