George W.A. Moodie. - Elgin Taylor

The poor performance of students in most of our nation's schools is cause for concern for all well-thinking individuals. This has necessitated educators and other stakeholders intervening in an effort to reverse this trend. One such educator is George W.A. Moodie, newly appointed principal of Grateful Hill Primary School in St Catherine.

"Since taking up the position of principal in September of this year, I have put plans in place to improve the literacy and numeracy levels of the clients (students) to ensure that before long, this primary school will be listed among the top primary schools in Jamaica," he confidently told The Star.

Moodie endorsed the Ministry of Education's prescribed curriculum but noted that he would not hesitate to use other materials relevant to the literacy and numeracy needs of the students. Special attention, he said, would have to be paid to the nutrition of the students, and to this end he has approached private and public- sector groups to assist in putting a breakfast programme in place.

Moodie is also planning to use computer technology to improve the literacy and numeracy levels of the students in his school. He believes, as someone who propagates the Gospel, that God gives every man and woman the potential of being someone of worth. He said he was in full support of the Ministry of Education's slogan: 'Every Child Can Learn, Every Child Must Learn'.

Moodie also stated that he would see to it that each class in school went on at least three field trips per school year in order to widen the scope of the students' knowledge and social interaction.

He underscored the important part parents must play if the education partnership was going to be successful.

"I believe that it is very important that parents will have to play a significant role in their child's life as it relates to quality education," he stated.

Born in Jones Town in St Andrew, Moodie said his early years were spent between Drewsland and Seaviev Gardens, also in the Corporate Area. He was educated at the Vocational Training Development Institute in Gordon Town, St Andrew, where he received a diploma in technical vocational education and training. Further training saw him gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Guidance and Counselling from the International University of the Caribbean.

He is also a justice of the peace and an ordained minister of the Holy Church of God in Windsor Castle, Portland, and serves nationally as the public-relations officer for that denomination. He is married to wife Jacinth, a registered nurse and midwife. The union has produced two daughters, Sara-Lee and Nymioya.