Bequia locked on to 89.3 FM

If you live in Bequia, tune into 89.3 FM and the air will be filled with the vibes of Bequia Anglican Community High School Radio Station. What started as just an idea by Joslyn Josiah of the regional UNESCO office in Jamaica,

is now a reality which has many residents on the island locked on.{{more}}

The school took the historic leap as the first radio station to be established in the Grenadines on Tuesday October 2, as part of the UNESCO sponsored Community Multi Media Project.

According to principal of the school Elaine Ollivierre, the project, which cost US$20,000, is termed a “radio in a suitcase” because of its compact design. She said, the station will not only entertain but would also function as a tool of education with broadcasts that promote upliftment.

Ollivierre however noted that since the students began training in July, there have been remarkable improvements in their command of the English Language, attitudes, creativity and self-esteem. Ollivierre explained that the funding from UNESCO also assisted in the establishment of a media centre which comprises a fully air-conditioned resource centre with computers, TV and DVD system.

The school’s principal pleaded with the community for their support of the radio station, which she pointed out was not commercial and could not accept advertisements, but would rely on the contributions from the public.

Meanwhile, Education Minister, Girlyn Miguel commended UNESCO for piloting access to what she described as the “Information Society” through the Bequia Community Radio Station. Miguel stated that by building libraries and community radio stations and enhancing them with modern facilities, UNESCO was truly “empowering marginalized communities with access to knowledge.”



She noted that while the station was able to enlighten the community about school activities, as they have done at various sporting events and their recently held graduation, the teaching/learning experience would also be taken to a practical technological level.

The Education Minister stated that the radio project supported Information Technology in a “real way” by demonstrating how IT can be applied.

She also emphasized that the training the students received from July 9-20 also included website building, life skills and libraries and information literacy, thus making learning fun instead of just chalk and talk.

The training in Information Technology was conducted by Junior Sutton, Chester Connell trained the students in radio broadcasting, and Tricia-Ann Job was the facilitator in libraries and information literacy.

Local UNESCO Secretary General La Fleur John expressed extreme satisfaction with the overall outcome of the project and wished the students and teachers continued success.(SG)