Ten students from St. James High School in Montego Bay along with two teachers will participate in a one week cultural exchange program in the United States. The students will arrive on Friday, October 29th and will visit cities of Trenton, New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York. The cultural exchange program is organized by the Education Sector of the Jamaica Diaspora North East Region Committee. According to the chairman, Dr. Trevor Sewell the students were selected on the basis of academic performance, good behavior and their involvement in the school’s choir.

Dr. Sewell said that an extensive program has been compiled for the students to participate in. Among the highlights of activities the students will pay a visit on New Jersey’s Governor John Corzine, tour Temple University in Philadelphia, tour the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a tour of the City of Philadelphia and New York, visit a number of high schools and participate in a Gospel concert.

Dr. Sewell also pointed out that his committee forged partnership with the St. James High School in 2004 with the aim of helping to lift the academic performance of the students at that institution. He said when the partnership was forged; the pass rate of 3% for Mathematics and 10% for English was cause for concern. To date with the committee’s assistance mathematics is 20 and 33% in English. This he said provides solid evidence of the potential to transform a low performing school.

Dr. Sewell added that his committee is committed to assisting the St. James High School in whatever way possible so that the students can one day take their rightful place in society.

Derrick A. Scott, Washington, DC