In seeking to foster greater patriotism in school children throughout the island nation, Jamaica's Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture held celebrations in schools to mark Jamaica Day. So as not to disrupt regular classes, the celebrations were integrated into the school program and included devotional exercises, mini exhibitions, food displays and speeches on related topics. Director of the Culture in Education Program, Kam-Au Amen, said that the Ministry was responding to a need to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and to foster positive cultural values. 'The program seeks to remind us of the positive things about Jamaica, of our history and what we are working towards as a nation,' he said.