THE New Road All-Age School in Westmoreland, which was recently expanded at a cost of $16.3 million was officially handed over to the school community last Thursday.

The project involved the construction of a new block to house four classrooms, administrative offices, sanitary facilities, and the provision of furniture for students and teachers.

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), through financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), funded the project at a cost of $14.9 million, with the school community – through its parent teachers association – contributing an additional $1.4 million in kind.

Board member at JSIF Reverend Rudolph Daley, in his remarks at the handing over ceremony said that JSIF was always happy to approve funds for the improvement of education.

He noted that education was important in addressing the challenges of poverty, building peace and security and generating sustainable development.

According to Daley, JSIF has to date approved 922 projects at a cost of $4.82 billion, with 387 of these being school projects at a cost of $2 billion.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Eastern Westmoreland, Luther Buchanan, said that every child could learn and the education system must be so structured as to give each child equal opportunity and the necessary attention to make that happen.

“We must determine as a society whether our children are learning or not, and if they are not, we’ve got to insist upon change. We must make sure that every child gets a sound education,” he said.

He further thanked JSIF for the significant role it has played in improving the teaching/learning environment throughout the constituency.

Former student the New Road All-Age School and Member of Parliament for North-West St James, Dr Horace Chang, also praised JSIF for its work in the education sector.

“We speak of reducing poverty in Jamaica, but the surest way path to reducing poverty, empowering the people and improving the quality of life of the people is through education. There is really no short cut. It is what will enlighten our people, empower them and give them an opportunity to fulfill their ambitions and their creative potential,” he said.

The New Road All-Age School, which opened its doors in 1948 with 200 students, currently has 432 students on roll, with the expanded facilities increasing capacity to approximately 450 students.

– JIS