GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Skills training at five high schools in north west Clarendon were given a major boost on Thursday when the institutions were presented with $500,000 each by member of parliament (MP) for the constituency, Richard Azan.

The presentation, which took place at the Thompson Town High School, saw the MP presenting the principals of Spalding, Thompson Town, Edwin Allen, Claude McKay and Alston high schools, cheques from the Constituency Development Fund totaling $2.5m.

"Not every student will graduate from school with five or more subjects; but many can leave with at least one skill, and so, I am happy to be making these donations to the five high schools so that it can help students to acquire a skill from which they can benefit from after leaving school," said Azan.

He said the half-million dollars given to each school was the second donation made to them from the Constituency Development Fund - all except Claude McKay received the same amounts last February.

The MP said that the areas in which the money will be spent have been decided on by the various principals in collaboration with their heads of department.

Azan also said that if the schools made proper use of the funds - by assisting as many students as possible - more money will be pumped into the effort.

"I will be visiting the schools this year to see how the money they were given last year has been spent; as well as how the students have benefited," Azan said.