The new school term in Jamaica began smoothly despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Beryl, with most schools able to open as scheduled on September 2. Among the hardest-hit was Chetwood Memorial Primary School in St. James, where staff had feared they wouldn’t be ready in time for the new academic year. However, to their pleasant surprise, classes commenced without major issues on Monday.
“We were among the priority schools for repairs, and thanks to the timely work by the contractor and the Ministry of Education, we were able to open,” said Principal Garvin Atkinson. “While everything isn’t 100% complete, we’re comfortable enough to begin, and the children will have a safe and conducive environment.”
Hurricane Beryl’s impact on July 3 had caused significant damage to a section of Chetwood Memorial, particularly in the area used for students taking the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.
In St. Elizabeth, some schools experienced a staggered start. Bull Savannah Primary School, for example, began classes for grade six students on Monday and Tuesday, with grade five students scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
Cameron added that one severely damaged building won’t be ready until November, though he expressed hope that meeting this deadline would be “almost a miracle.” The area is currently boarded up to ensure student safety during ongoing repairs.
At BB Coke High School, Acting Principal Liteashia Gallimore-Stoner announced that classes would fully resume the following Monday. “This week is dedicated to orientation and registration for all grades,” she explained. Despite some challenges faced by parents regarding school fees, the school has made arrangements to accommodate those in need.
BB Coke High, which suffered mainly from flooding and electrical issues during the hurricane, has made the necessary repairs and restored electricity in time for the new term. “We also had a lot of trees downed, and we’re still working on clearing the area to ensure a safe environment,” Gallimore-Stoner added.
Meanwhile, at Prospect Primary, located near the Manchester/St. Elizabeth border, Vice-Principal Patrick Brown reported a smooth start to the school year, with 179 students registered. “We’ve been registering students since August, and Monday’s turnout was excellent,” he said, noting that only a few trees had fallen, leaving the school buildings intact.
St Peter’s Basic School in Portland Cottage, southern Clarendon, which went solar in 2019, faced a tougher start after being heavily damaged by Hurricane Beryl on July 3. The school opened its doors to a small group of kindergarten students, but the ravaged site presented a stark contrast to its former condition. With only one staff member present when the Jamaica Observer visited on Monday, the school was a shadow of its vibrant self.
White Horses Primary and Infant School in St. Thomas began the new academic year with renewed focus and optimism. The school, which has seen significant improvement in its National Education Inspectorate (NEI) rating from “unsatisfactory” in 2015 to “good” in the previous year, is poised for continued success. “We’re still basking in the joy of it all,” said Acting Principal Sydoney Edwards-Campbell, expressing pride in the school’s progress and commitment to excellence.
