Gov't confirms Hydel, Cumberland high schools to merge

Two St Catherine high schools - Hydel, a financially struggling private institution, and Cumberland - will be merged, the Government confirmed Monday.

Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon told journalists at a news conference on Monday that the ministry is still working through the process, but pointed to deteriorating infrastructure at the Hydel, and issues around its lease arrangement as factors contributing to the merger.

The stated-owned Urban Development Corporation (UDC) owns the property where Hydel is located. The school owes the UDC significant sums, well-placed sources say. 

However, questions sent by The Gleaner to the UDC for responses regarding the lease arrangement and funds owed by the institution remain unanswered after a week.

Acting Chief Education Officer, Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle told The Gleaner last week that the merger is expected to be finalised by September.

The Gleaner also understands that the leadership of Hydel is pushing for the retention of the Hydel name as part of the merger talks.

Hydel is renowned for its elite track and field programme. The school is a former winner of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

Some officials at the school feel its brand as a track and field powerhouse would be affected should the school be renamed. There are also reports that some parents have indicated that if the name is not retained, they will send their children elsewhere. 

The Hydel Group of schools has been under mounting financial pressures forcing the Government to intervene in 2022, and the school to begin transitioning from a private institution to a public one.

Dana Morris Dixon, noted that the Ministry has been funding the school’s operations.

“As you know, as a ministry we’ve been asked to intervene for Hydel at the High School level, as a ministry, we’ve been paying the teachers… we’ve been paying all of the bills for that institution,” she said.

She said Cumberland High School is operating “well below capacity” which influenced the ministry’s decision to use its compound for the merger.

“We have a high school where many of the children who go to that school, they also live near to that school that has less numbers than we want,” she said.

Hydel High School is located off the Mandela Highway in Ferry. It was founded in September 1993 by former Senator Hyacinth Bennett at Ardenne Road in Kingston before relocating to its current campus in September 1995. 

Cumberland High School was established in 2000, and is known for its focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training subjects.

It is understood that the merger has been presented as a transition that aims to preserve staff employment while relocating operations to a site with the capacity to accommodate the combined school population.

It is also being touted as an opportunity to provide staff with greater job stability and the possibility of permanent employment.

Staff were informed that outstanding statutory payments, including National Insurance Scheme and National Housing Trust contributions where applicable, are expected to be regularised.

Employees currently serving in senior positions are expected to retain their positions after the merger.

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