Burchell Whiteman

Burchell Anthony Whiteman, OJ (born March 30, 1938) is a Jamaican former politician. A member of the People's National Party (PNP), he served as a Member of Parliament, the Jamaican High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Minister of Education, and Minister of Information.

Burchell Anthony Whiteman
OJ
High Commission of Jamaica, London
of  Jamaica
to  United Kingdom
In office
January 2007 – January 3, 2010
Preceded byGail Mathurin
Succeeded byAnthony Johnson
Personal details
Born (1938-03-30) March 30, 1938
May Pen
SpouseJoline[1]
Alma materUniversity College
Birmingham University

Early life

Burchell Anthony Whiteman was born on February 21 1938 in May Pen, the son of educator Edgar James Whiteman and homemaker and social worker Merab Whiteman.[2] He studied at Munro College from 1949 to 1955 on a government scholarship that he earned on the basis of being the top student in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica.[2] While at Munro, Whiteman was active in sports and performance arts, while also serving as house captain and head prefect. Whiteman graduated from the University College of the West Indies (now University of the West Indies) with a degree in English with French and later obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Birmingham University.[2]

Career

Whiteman was the principal of York Castle High School and Brown’s Town Community College.[3] He also chaired the board of the University Council of Jamaica.[4] He entered politics in 1989 as a member of the People's National Party (PNP) and was elected as Member of Parliament for Saint Ann North Western.[2] In 1992, Whiteman became Minister of Education.[5] In 2002, he was appointed Minister of Information.[2] In 2007, he was appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a position he held till end-December 2009.[6] In 2014, he received an appointment to the council of the University of Technology, Jamaica.[3]

He contributed a foreword to Education Theory and Practice: Caribbean Perspectives (2003).[7]

Recognition

On 29 March 2006, Whiteman was awarded the Order of Jamaica in recognition of his contribution to education and to the legislature.[8] In January 2013, the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) honoured Whiteman for his contributions to education in Jamaica: "(he) recognised the uniqueness of the colleges that are strategically placed, making it easier for students to access quality education at an extremely affordable cost."[9] In October 2015, he was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of the West Indies.[10]

References
  1. "Something Extra". 5 March 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  2. "The Munro College Old Boys Association Hall of Fame". Jamaica Observer. 1 May 2016.
  3. "Cabinet Approves Appointment of Burchell Whiteman to Utech Council". Jamaica Information Service. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  4. "Ambassador Whiteman Gets Special Award". Jamaica Information Service. 11 January 2013.
  5. "About". Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  6. "UK Jamaicans Say Thank You to High Commissioner Whiteman". Jamaica Information Service. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  7. Bastick, Tony, ed. (2003). Education Theory and Practice: Caribbean Perspectives. Department of Educational Studies, University of the West Indies. ISBN 978-9-766-32038-6.
  8. "Senator Burchell Whiteman Awarded Order of Jamaica". Jamaica Information Service. 28 March 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  9. "Burchell Whiteman recognised for work in education". Jamaica Observer. 10 January 2013.
  10. "Rita Marley, Burchell Whiteman And Others To Be Awarded Honorary Degrees By UWI". The Gleaner. 30 June 2015.
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