Wakefield Primary gets support for garden project

Wakefield Primary in Trelawny has embarked on a model climate-smart garden project, with the aim to start a breakfast programme and boost attendance among its students.

Principal Michael James explained that the initiative, which involves the cultivation of vegetables, including cabbage, callaloo, tomatoes, string beans and melon, has been receiving significant support.

“We are working with a number of agencies. The Australian government has sponsored a 1,000-gallon water tank along with irrigation equipment, [and] the National School Garden Programme, through 4-H and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), are all on board.’

He says the project will go a far way in helping to establish a much-needed breakfast programme at the school.

“A breakfast programme will benefit the students and the school in general. We live in a rural community where a lot of the students come from poor families. Some of the students come to school having a poor breakfast. This hampers their ability to learn.” He is confident that with a morning meal programme in place, the school will begin to see larger numbers and more regular attendance from the students.

“Once the programme comes on stream, I can guarantee overall improvement. Not the least among the benefits is helping students to acquire a taste for healthy eating,” James said.

Parish Manager for the national 4-H Clubs, Natanish Hines, outlined the larger expectations for the project. “There are five schools down to benefit from this programme. They are Troy, Muschet, Westwood, Albert Town, these are the high schools, and Wakefield as the only primary school. With the sponsorship, Trelawny is expected to place highly in the National School Garden Competition.”

Leader of the school’s 4-H Club, Sheryl Chisholm, expressed joy about the project.

“I am happy to be involved with the school garden. It exposes the students to agriculture. My aim ... is to win the National School Garden Competition, organised by [the] 4-H.”