THE safety and security of the students who attend Alpha Primary School on South Camp Road in Kingston will be greatly improved with the installation of two new gates and the repainting of a pedestrian crossing.

Angella Boothe, Manager of the Duke Street branch of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), said the project was made possible with a $300,000 grant administered by the Member Advisory Council (MAC) of the branch.

“The MACs are supported with funding from the JNBS Foundation,” she said.

On Saturday, November 24, members and employees of the branch involved in JNBS Foundation’s Action Jamaica Volunteer Corps, painted the gates and crossing, which serve more than 2,000 students in the school population.

Boothe explained that she received a request from the school seeking assistance to have the gates repaired.

“However, they were too weak to be repaired; therefore, a decision was taken to replace them. Additionally, the old gates did not facilitate pedestrian traffic and as a result, parents and guardians dropping off or picking up their children faced lengthy delays.

Millicent Graham, principal of school, pointed out that the assistance in addressing the infrastructural needs of the school is highly appreciated.

“The school is more than 100-years-old, therefore, repairs are critical from time to time. What JN has done is remarkable and it will go a far way,” she said.

The JN Member Advisory Councils, which operate in all of the society’s branches and JN Money Shops across the island, are comprised of JN members and employees who identify and select projects for funding within their respective communities.

Since 2006, the councils have provided grant funding for more than 350 community projects across the island.