DTHS Alumni transitions into developing a strategic plan of action for its alma mater…

The Dinthill Technical High School Past Student’s Association partners to commission a strategic development plan to foster its diversity to sustainable development and growth.

Under the theme “Balancing Tutorial Investments, Unleashing Potentials of Our Alma Mater”. The Dinthill Alumni rose to action in coordinating a multi-stakeholders’ conference held on January 20th, 2020 to sensitize its Alumni community of the rationale for strategic growth and development in what is now deemed a critical part of its transition.

Dinthill Technical High School (DTHS), established in 1938, was founded with emphasis on training in agriculture complemented by training in several other skilled areas. Since then, DTHS has seen the retention of its core mandate in agriculture with its inclusion in all successive curricula. However, much of its appearance has been eroded over the last decade, and requires urgent attention in order to rebound.

In addition, The Past Students’ Association contends that the agriculture department is irrefutably the institution’s most tangible and accessible asset, and holds the potential for invaluable social, economic and academic outcomes. The Past Students’ Association recognizes the need for the mainstreaming of agriculture in both a sustainable and modern guise and acknowledges the value it can bring to the lives of students as well as the development of Jamaica.

The Development Plan will be a defining step in ensuring an organized pathway to the sustainability of the school. with this strategic plan its objective is to attract an array of stakeholders including but not limited to students, parents, teachers, relevant state agencies and private entities; and take into consideration their ideas and expertise.

The conference, through three (3) panel discussions, was coordinated to maintain focus on four (4) key areas:

• Reporting on the school’s accomplishments to date.
• Addressing the challenges relating to Agriculture.
• Introducing the Dinthill Development Plan and provoking discussion around the matter.
• Securing commitments from major stakeholders.

Additionally, the conference included the presence of several key research agents that was commissioned to extract data from the conversations in support of the following outcomes:

• Introduction of systematic programs and equipment which are relevant to modern agricultural activities.
• Digital Agricultural Technology to enhance production.
• Establishment of infrastructure to create modern research options that will serve students and allow for partnership between the institution and major agricultural stakeholders.
• Introduction of new methodologies to encourage public awareness of the need for food security and a reduction of the food import bill. 

Realizing this goal of a sustainable institution that serves not only students but the country at large depends greatly on a combination of factors, layers of governance and partnerships at different levels. The Dinthill Past Students’ Association avails itself for partnership through this Multi-Stakeholders’ Conference and anticipates that all stakeholders will strive to adopt this goal as their own.

In conclusion, as we strive to transform ‘Dinthill’ let us, partner, together in ensuring that this revolutionary opportunity comes into existence. Notwithstanding, we relish the kind support and contribution in alliance with institutions like The Rural Agricultural Authority (RADA), The New York Chapter, Class of 1980 and 82′ and the Dinthill Trust Fund.