NASSAU, Bahamas -- Education, Science and Technology Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald celebrated the achievements of the 2012 class of Claridge Primary, community stakeholders, administrators, parents and guardians during the school’s prize-giving exercise.

“Students, today you are being celebrated for having successfully completed the primary phase of your education. This will be the foundation for junior high school where greater effort and hard work will be required. Parents can encourage and help you along the way but you must decide to listen, study and do your homework,” Minister Fitzgerald said.

He urged the school administrators, family and community leaders who packed Grace Community Church to think seriously about returning to a culture of community.“This school’s property was donated to the government by the Claridge family and the school’s first building was a building owned by that family.

Their contribution, humble as it was, ensured that the neighborhood children had a school building to go to. Claridge Primary School was named after a family who understood the importance of community,” he said.

Mr. Fitzgerald highlighted his ministry’s commitment to assisting Claridge Primary to be more visible and integrated in the institution’s surrounding communities.“We want the people living in these communities to be fully vested in this school, which includes involving them in your special assemblies, or allowing them to assist in protecting the school against vandalism and similar challenges. We are all responsible for ensuring that each child has access to a challenging curriculum in a healthy and supportive environment.”

The Ministry of Education plans to develop a comprehensive after-school programme to provide reinforcement of academic skills and offer exciting extra-curricula activities like cultural dance, theatre and drama, martial arts and sports. All students will be able to take advantage of the activities that will be managed by trained teachers, skilled persons and community volunteers, he said.

“When you celebrate your students’ involvement in programmes like your Focus-on-Youth Programme, Boys Choir, Brownies, K-Kids Club and Gardening Club, celebrate in grand style!  Your Holy Cross Mentoring Programme and your LEAD Institute Programme make you leaders among primary schools in the country, as you are the only primary school who can proudly boast of having these programmes.”

He challenged the school community to share experiences in these programmes with the Ministry of Education. He thanked Holy Family Catholic Church, John Bull and Higgs and Johnson, major supporters of the school for their continued support.