Cutbert Miller, president of the GSB Co-operative Credit Union, presents Mary-Ann Nichols with the Civil Servant of the Year award during Thursday's Civil Service Award ceremony at the National Indoor Sport Centre, St. Andrew. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Educator, counsellor, mother and pastor, Mary-Ann Nichols has been actively contributing to the country's education system for the past 32 years. Starting out as a school-teacher at the Catadupa All-Age School in St. James, the devote Christian has served as an education officer in the Ministry of Education since 1990. She is slated to fill the post of regional director in Region Three come next week.

Mrs. Nichols told The Gleaner Wednesday, minutes after receiving her award as Civil Servant of the Year, that her belief in education and the youth of Jamaica is what keeps her going.

"All of these children with serious behavioural problems and family difficulties, who we often see as bad, (my hope) is that they will get the help and attention they need. I don't think we spend enough time with (them)," she said.

Cheers and hugs

Clearly loved by her colleagues, the veteran educator was greeted with loud cheers and hugs during yesterday's ceremony.

"(I) am thanking God for this privilege as it says something about the Education Ministry and education officers on a whole," said Mrs. Nichols. "My only regret is that my husband is not here to share this with me."

Mrs. Nichols said she plans to continue her work as a public servant and hopes to inspire other civil servants to "understand that we are the skeleton, (the frame) of this society."

Some 229 civil servants who have served the public sector for more than 25 years were on Thursday recognised during the Jamaica Civil Service and Long Service Award ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre, St. Andrew.