J$1.3b for recovery of hurricane-ravaged Westmoreland primary schools

Just over $1.3 billion is being invested in the reconstruction and expansion of two hurricane-ravaged schools in Westmoreland, Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon indicated during a back-to-school readiness tour on Tuesday.

The larger share, nearly $1 billion, is being spent on Unity Primary School, while $302 million has been allocated to Petersfield Primary School, where the minister acknowledged that students will still have to contend with some disruption when the new academic year begins in September amid continuing construction.

Morris Dixon said, however, that she was encouraged by the pace of work at Petersfield Primary School.

Speaking during a tour of the institution, she said the Government was investing $302 million to restore and upgrade the hurricane-damaged school.

“I came to this school in May for Read Across Jamaica Day and I saw the condition of the school. It was actually the first day that the construction team was on site,” she said.

“Today, I have seen that a lot of work has happened. We are putting $302 million into Petersfield Primary School. That’s a lot of money.”

The minister said roofing work is expected to be largely completed by next week, while replacement windows have already been ordered. However, the construction of a new eight-classroom block is yet to begin and is expected to start within weeks, with completion projected for January.

“What you see here is really our commitment to doing things better,” she said. “We cannot allow the roof to go again if there’s another hurricane. We have to build it properly. It means it’s more expensive, but it’s the right thing to do.”

Although pleased with the progress since her last visit, Morris Dixon admitted that the school would not have enough classrooms for the start of the academic year.

“We don’t have all the classrooms that we would need for September at this school, so the school will have to continue trying to be creative,” she said.

The school is expected to continue using tents to accommodate students, an arrangement the minister described as less than ideal.

“I don’t like the tents, really, especially if it rains. You know the rainy season tends to be in the first term,” she said. “We want to eliminate the tents as quickly as possible.”

CONFIDENCE IN TRANSITION

Still, she expressed confidence that the principal and staff would manage the transition.

“I would say, look, we’re doing the work. It’s going to be even better than it was before. So don’t worry. Send your children out. It’s going to be a little bit of discomfort continuing in the first term, but the contractors have assured us that they’ll do the work that’s necessary, so that when January comes everything is done.”

Addressing concerns about Internet outages affecting schools, Morris Dixon said the ministry was not considering online learning as its ‘preferred solution’, despite ongoing connectivity challenges at the institutions following the hurricane.

“I’m not a big fan of online classes,” she said. “I’ve had my children do online class. I’ve seen other children do online class. It’s not effective in many instances.”

Instead, she said the ministry was exploring satellite Internet through eLearning Jamaica to improve connectivity at schools.

“We are actually in the process of testing satellite through eLearning Jamaica, and we are using satellites now at some of our schools to test whether or not that technology is a more robust technology for them,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Morris Dixon also toured Unity Primary School, where she said nearly $1 billion is being spent to rebuild and expand the institution following extensive hurricane damage.

“Unity Primary is one of the top primary schools we have in Westmoreland,” she said. “A lot of work is happening. We are slabbing the roof. We’re also building a new auditorium... creating two sets of classroom blocks... doing the perimeter fencing [and] the bathrooms. It’s basically a brand new school.”

Responding to concerns previously raised by Manning’s School about the pace of reconstruction, the minister said labour shortages, supply issues and contractors juggling multiple projects had contributed to delays.

“I heard their concerns,” she said, adding that the ministry was closely monitoring the contractors’ performance.

“We are paying for this work and we need to get the work done.”

She also announced plans to publicly disclose details of school reconstruction contracts, including project costs, contractors and completion timelines, to increase transparency and accountability.

“Jamaicans need to know what their Government is doing and what contracts have been given,” Morris Dixon said. “I want all of Jamaica to also ask that contractor, ‘I saw that you said it was going to finish for December. Where have you reached?’”

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com