Voices Magazine-Vol2-Issue-1-WEB

19 April 2018 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica T he name Cynthia Shako at UTech, Jamaica is synonymous with a tradition of caring and nurturing. She is among the pioneers from the former College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) who has contributed to the shaping of the institution. Voices Magazine contributor, Dannielle Brown recently sat down with Mrs. Shako for a conversation on her pioneering role that enabled the establishment of the day care early childhood facility on the Papine Campus, named in her honour. History of the Establishment of the Cynthia Shako Early Childhood Education and Day Care Centre Recounting the history leading to the establishment of the Day Care centre, Mrs. Shako explained that she joined the then College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) as a Nurse in 1988. “When I came here, there was a clinic, but it was hardly a clinic, with just a few visitors from the Education Faculty, “ she said, adding that she set about trying to improve the building, expanding the services and to opening the facilities to all faculty and staff. “We moved from a doctor coming four times per week to everyday…and I eventually invited gynaecologists, dentists and so on as the population grew,” she recounted, noting that many poor students relied heavily on the services. Nurse Shako recalls that in the late 1980s, incidences of student pregnancy became prevalent. “The unfortunate thing is that when they got pregnant, it got very difficult, and some of them had to leave, especially in faculties like ‘Tech Ed’, you couldn’t have an unmarried pregnant teacher doing teaching experience.” In assessing the situation, Mrs. Shako said that she took the decision to do a Family Planning Course at the University of the West Indies during her summer vacation, “so that I could offer family planning services to students and staff.” The establishment of the day care building however, was not all smooth sailing from there. Mrs. Shako recalls her persistence in approaching then President, Dr. Alfred Sangster to use one of the JOS busses that were no longer in the Government system for conversion to a day care and nursery. The idea was eventually scrapped, resulting from indecision on the use of the bus for other activities including for sports. “I started looking at how I could get money to build a day care, since Dr. Sangster was not taking me on,” she quipped, adding that he later called her to follow up with finding a suitable location on the campus. With the help of then head of the Science Department, Mr. George Roper, (deceased) Mrs. Shako was provided a space on the Science block from where she began to take care of infants with the help of a member of staff from the Housekeeping Department. The demands for day care service, quickly outgrew that space. Mrs. Shako noted her tireless efforts in contacting Ministries of Government and other agencies for support in building a more suitable, separate facility. She notes that many persons came together for the realization of the building, including architects, contractors Chang and Associates and Canadians who donated money for the roof, furniture and other building materials. Opening of the Day Care Centre Mrs. Shako who is now 82 years old, notes with pride the significance of June 14, 1993 marking the opening of the day care centre on the campus. The centre opened with 6 cots and mats for the older children. It opened from 7 am to 6pm and parents were asked to pay a nominal fee. Mrs. Shako continued to serve at the centre, while continuing to perform her nursing duties on the campus. She pointed to the push at that time to ensure that students were given the necessary time off to visit the day care centre to breastfeed their infants. Mrs. Cynthia Shako, Former Nurse and Pioneer of the Cynthia Shako Early Childhood Education and Day Care Centre located on the UTech, Ja. Papine Campus. A Conversation with UTech, Jamaica Pioneer – Cynthia Shako Mrs. Cynthia Shako interacts with two year old Jaleesa Brown as she plays with her building blocks.