Carlong honours early-childhood educators

Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited is a multimedia education, marketing and distribution company owned and operated by Jamaican entrepreneurs, Carl and Shirley Carby. In addition to its own publishing, Carlong also provides exclusive distribution services in Jamaica for Pearson Longman educational publishers.

Carlong is ever conscious of its role as both a commercial and a cultural enterprise. The company provides the vital cultural services of expanding the skills and knowledge base of Caribbean societies, as well as recording their heritage for dissemination both within the Caribbean and to the global community. Specific publications for literacy and numeracy development are reinforced by active, ongoing involvement in community literacy and numeracy initiatives.

As a Caribbean publishing company with a strong commitment to national and regional development, Carlong has given dynamic leadership to the development of the book industry in Jamaica. Shirley Carby was the founding President of the Book Industry Association of Jamaica in 1989. This umbrella organisation brought together all sectors of the industry, thereby facilitating joint-development initiatives, improved standards of service to the public and joint lobby on issues affecting the industry.

This year, Jamaica celebrates its 50th year of political Independence. In recognition of this milestone and to share in the celebrations, Carlong has decided to use the occasion to recognise and appreciate the work of the early-childhood educators in its immediate community. Seventeen basic school principals were awarded with trophies at an appreciation luncheon held in their honour at the company's Ruthven Road offices on Thursday, May 10.

In his comments to the early-childhood educators, Marketing Manager Vinton Samms affirmed that "the new Government has espoused early-childhood education as a strategic priority. We have endorsed this and firmly believe that this indeed is a foundation on which to build and one that must be sustained at all costs".

Mr Samms, in paying homage to the teachers also said that the school administrators had no doubt demonstrated a level of professional commitment and has been charged with the responsibility of moulding young minds. It is a task, he said, that is sometimes challenging and, at other times, thankless, but has reiterated Carlong's commitment to the cause of early-childhood education and has promised continued support in the best way possible and by the provision of quality material that can stand up to scrutiny at any level and across any border.

Principals awarded

The principals of the following basic schools in Kingston and St Andrew were awarded with trophies for outstanding contribution to early childhood education:

Carlene Palmer - Lincoln Basic School

Joy Morris - Anderson Basic School

Hyacinth Wright - The Learning Centre

Maureen Reid-Anderson - Mount Faith Basic School

Disiree Purrie-Green - RJR Basic School (accepted on behalf of principal)

Jacqueline D'Oyley-Flowers - Richmond Park Nazarene Basic School

Sonia Huie - Webster Memorial Basic School

Sonia Brown - Kencot Basic School

Veronica Parkinson-Burnett - Jamaica House Basic School

Kemonia Palmer - Church of God of Prophecy Basic School

Dahlia Donaldson - Western United Basic School

Pauline Davis - National Baptist Basic School

Cayann Roberts - Maxfield Park Basic School

Tanna Baker-Clarke - Grace Basic School

Florence Gordon - Burke Road Basic School

Florett Barrett - Bradford Basic School