Nonprofit Organization FOSC to Fight Poverty and Improve Literacy Rate in the Developing Country of Jamaica – a Grassroots International Organization

Lake Worth, FL (FOSC) October 11th, 2010----The educational system in Jamaica at the present moment requires a need for concern and action.

"Education is perhaps the most powerful tool for reducing poverty, improving health, promoting healthier economies, and providing peaceful and productive opportunities for
young people around the world.”
– Global Campaign for Education

According to Professor Gordon Shirley, Principal of UWI Mona Campus, a world bank report indicated that 2/3 of persons under the age of 34 living in Jamaica have no academic qualification, the number without academic qualification increases to 76% among 35-49 yr olds, and 79% among 50-59 yr olds and 89% over 60 yr old.

Approximately 80% employed & unemployed workers and 74% of first time job seekers have no vocational, technical training or professional training.

For youths in the school system, a report card indicates that in the primary school system, some 57% of 4th grade students were reading below grade level, and despite summer remediation programs almost 16,000 were retained in 4th grade. The mean score in math, science and social studies and language in GSAT were all below 60%...

In 2000 less than 60% of the students who sat CXC exam passed English language and 7/10 failed mathematics and the numbers actually decline substantially and haven’t improved after that period. Approximately 10,300 left secondary school after grade 9 and another 35,000 left eleventh grade.
FOSC has been established by, and for the community to build and manage public funds, to improve the artistic, cultural, educational, recreational and social well-being of residents of the parish of St. Catherine. There are three (3) core areas that we have developed to help us in our strategy. (1) Educational Development (2) Sports development and (3) Community Outreach Initiatives.

FOSC is committed to pursuing these strategies over the next five years and beyond to work towards a community in which all children can pursue a quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the rest of the world. While some of these strategies and structures are new, we plan to effectively support our organization with expertise in the required field wherever necessary.

Through these initiatives, we believe that we can significantly increase our footprint and impact in developing a better educated community, and ultimately have an even greater effect on the lives of many children across the country by the next decade. In addition, we see this as a way to establish FOSC as an even more effective and successful leader, model, and catalyst for change within other communities across Jamaica. We are confident this strategic plan gives us the compass for success, and we look forward to the exciting journey ahead.
For additional information about our mission and programs, you can locate us on our website at www.friensofstcatherine.com.

Friends of St. Catherine Worldwide Network (FOSC) a Nonprofit Organization, Finds Itself in the Developing Country of Jamaica to Improve the Educational System in the St. Catherine Community.

About the FOSC Organization and its ambitious agenda in improving the educational system in St. Catherine, Jamaica.

FOSC, founded in 2010, seeks to enrich the quality of life for the people of St. Catherine, Jamaica, by its (mission, programs) etc.

Education continues to be a major contributor to the development and expansion of the economies of many countries throughout the world and Jamaica is no exception. Help us to help others.

” I believe improving the level of education in peoples lives, creating a renewed community spirit and providing access to information, stands at the core of our success.”
Simon A. Bowen
Executive Director, Educational Development Program

The President of FOSC, Paul Robinson, is available for interviews about our programs and vision for the organization.

Friends of St. Catherine, Inc.
PO Box 541826 • Lake Worth, FL 33454

Contact: Marie Holland, Media Liaison
paul@foschs.com
(561) 386.3207 (office)
(561) 649.9641 (fax)
www.friendsofstcatherine.com

This release was published on openPR.