Chairman of the board of Jamaica College, R. Danny Williams, has called on all past students to become involved in their alma mater in order to improve Jamaica's educational system.

Mr. Williams said recently that, since taking over Jamaica College nearly two years ago, he has done some preliminary research among secondary schools in general, and in two boys' schools in particular, and that he was shocked and worried at the findings.

The former Senator and Minister of Industry and Trade in the late 1970s, who is currently chairman of the Jamaica Broilers Group, was speaking at the Endowmentand Development Conference organised by Near Shore Solutions Inc. at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston last month.

First of its kind

The conference, the first of its kind to be held in Jamaica, was attended by chairmen and members of boards of schools, colleges and other tertiary institutions, principals, teachers and staff of high schools and colleges, presidents, executives and members of past students' associations and private sector persons who sponsor, donate to or support their alma mater.

Mr. Williams said that he was shocked to find that only 13 per cent of the children who enter high school at grade seven complete grade 11 with five CXC passes which he said must be regarded as a bare minimum.