Dear Editor,
The story on the back page of the Jamaica Observer of Tuesday, November 25, 2014, titled 'No Apologies' represents the response from Jamaica College's (JC) team manager, Ian Forbes, as he defiantly defended the school's programme of recruitment of talent to bolster their Manning Cup cupboard that has earned the top spot.
Today, JC is among the most successful school football teams, having won four of the last eight Manning Cup titles after a painstaking 33-year wait in the wilderness that was ended in 2007, with further triumphs in 2010, 2013 and 2014.
Forbes lashed his critics as he accepted charges that the school does have a significant recruiting programme which brings in athetlically gifted young men into the Hope Road institution, offering them an opportunity to use their talent to the school's as well as their own personal benefit. The result is the school's enviable run on the sporting courses, in particular Boys' Championship and the Manning Cup.
The practice of recruiting has dogged secondary schools in Jamaica for decades, and outside of Ian Forbes, most schools quietly shy away from admitting to participation in the practice. The recruitment programme's defence is framed in a utilitarian philosophy at its operational best. And, while I am aware that the practice may have pitfalls, it is clear that the end, in this case, justifies the approach.
Clearly JC has studied the principle and, apart from its successes on the field of play, the school has been providing outlets for youngsters to suceed. It appears JC has a programme that works.
Less than 12 years ago, Jamaica College ranked at the bottom of Jamaican high schools, with issues of poor academic, sporting and other results. Following a rallying of their old boys, a comprehensive programme of support was unleashed, replete with the provision of significant financial resources to back the school's development and rebranding. It is today a success story of effort and the school is now able to attract quality teachers, is a plum pick for students sitting GSAT, and a magnet for talent in other spheres. There is no doubt that Jamaica College, as an institution, has been successful, because the old boys, like Ian Forbes, put their time and money behind their talk.
I wish all Jamaican schools would follow these footsteps. For if JC were a business, I would buy its shares.
Richard Hugh Blackford
Florida, USA
richardhblackford@gmail.com
If JC were a business, I'd buy shares
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The story on the back page of the Jamaica Observer of Tuesday, November 25, 2014, titled 'No Apologies' represents the response from Jamaica College's (JC) team manager, Ian Forbes, as he defiantly defended the school's programme of recruitment of talent to bolster their Manning Cup cupboard that has earned the top spot.
Today, JC is among the most successful school football teams, having won four of the last eight Manning Cup titles after a painstaking 33-year wait in the wilderness that was ended in 2007, with further triumphs in 2010, 2013 and 2014.
Forbes lashed his critics as he accepted charges that the school does have a significant recruiting programme which brings in athetlically gifted young men into the Hope Road institution, offering them an opportunity to use their talent to the school's as well as their own personal benefit. The result is the school's enviable run on the sporting courses, in particular Boys' Championship and the Manning Cup.
The practice of recruiting has dogged secondary schools in Jamaica for decades, and outside of Ian Forbes, most schools quietly shy away from admitting to participation in the practice. The recruitment programme's defence is framed in a utilitarian philosophy at its operational best. And, while I am aware that the practice may have pitfalls, it is clear that the end, in this case, justifies the approach.
Clearly JC has studied the principle and, apart from its successes on the field of play, the school has been providing outlets for youngsters to suceed. It appears JC has a programme that works.
Less than 12 years ago, Jamaica College ranked at the bottom of Jamaican high schools, with issues of poor academic, sporting and other results. Following a rallying of their old boys, a comprehensive programme of support was unleashed, replete with the provision of significant financial resources to back the school's development and rebranding. It is today a success story of effort and the school is now able to attract quality teachers, is a plum pick for students sitting GSAT, and a magnet for talent in other spheres. There is no doubt that Jamaica College, as an institution, has been successful, because the old boys, like Ian Forbes, put their time and money behind their talk.
I wish all Jamaican schools would follow these footsteps. For if JC were a business, I would buy its shares.
Richard Hugh Blackford
Florida, USA
richardhblackford@gmail.com
If JC were a business, I'd buy shares
-->