Principal and parents concerned as infirmary residents remain at Hague Primary in Trelawny

Stakeholders at Hague Primary School in Trelawny are raising concerns about what they describe as the slow pace of efforts by the Trelawny Municipal Corporation to secure alternative accommodation for 55 residents of the local infirmary.

The concerns come as parish officials confirmed that work was due to start on Tuesday.

The residents have been occupying the school since Hurricane Melissa destroyed the infirmary in October, a situation that educators and parents say has significantly disrupted normal school operations.

Natalie Wilson, president of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, said the continued use of the compound has affected teaching and learning for more than 800 students.

“I am extremely concerned about the continued occupation of the school by residents of the infirmary. This has affected face-to-face teaching and learning,” Wilson said.

She expressed particular concern for Grade Six students, who are preparing to sit the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations early next year and have already lost approximately two months of instruction.

“These students are set to sit exams in a matter of months, having lost valuable teaching time. It is not fair to them,” Wilson said.

School principal Damien Elvin declined to comment in detail, stating simply, “I want my school.”

The new school term is scheduled to start on January 5.

Concerns are also within the ranks of the political directorate as Councillor for the Martha Brae Division, Roydell Hamilton, has also voiced frustration.

“The minister, Desmond McKenzie, promised three weeks ago that a set of prefab buildings would be placed on a site to house the infirmary. To date, with the opening of school set for January 5, we have heard nothing. The education of the students is bound to suffer,” Hamilton said.

However, steps are now being taken to address the issue, said Andrew Harrison, chief executive officer of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation.

“Work is scheduled to start today,” Harrison told The Gleaner on Tuesday. “My technical team has reported that the base to accommodate the prefab buildings, along with the sewage system, is on the way.”

The structures are being considered for a location on Cornwall Street in Falmouth.

-Leon Jackson

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