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Education Minister, Ronald Jones presenting SJPP Principal, Hector Belle (centre) with the City and Guilds honorary membership while City and Guilds Director for Europe, Middle East and the Caribbean, Bill Malcolm, looks on. (C.Pitt/BGIS) |
Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, has praised the City and Guilds Institution for standing the test of time and cementing its place in over 80 countries around the world.
He heaped accolades on the institution as he conferred honorary membership on Principal of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP), Hector Belle, during a ceremony at the Pine, St. Michael, institution last Friday.
Mr. Jones said: "To be recognised by a body that exists in 80 countries of the world and has under its wing some 10 000 universities, colleges or technical institutions, is truly remarkable.?? It shows that education falls squarely within the capitalist model of development where you can spread your wings as far as possible without resistance."
The Education Minister commended Belle for his efforts in the field of technical and vocational education and added: "Let us celebrate his success, the conferment of this award on him and we look forward for his work to continue here at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic."
In acceptance, Mr. Belle said he was deeply honoured for the recognition by City and Guilds which, according to him, demonstrated an "outward expression for my contribution to education".
He also stated that he spent more than 30 years preparing students for City ad Guilds Qualifications and could not have achieved this without the support of the staff and students of the SJPP.