FOOD For The Poor’s major gift to the people of Bannister in St Catherine — the new Bannister New Testament Basic School – was officially opened during a special ceremony Thursday.

This is the 17th early childhood institution to be officially opened under the FFP’s Jamaica 50 Programme, which seeks to build and/or upgrade 50 basic schools islandwide in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

It is the second basic school in St Catherine to be built under the programme. Thirteen months ago, the first school under the FFP Jamaica 50 Programme was officially opened in Kingston – St Margaret’s Real Success Basic School.

The Bannister New Testament Basic School, which was housed in the church since its inception 17 years ago, had to be battling an unsuitable and limited learning environment, where teachers had to be constantly moving furniture and teaching aids to make room for church activities. To add to that difficulty, when the church was under construction and housed in an unfinished building, the school’s operation was affected by the elements.

Thanks to FFP, the new building for the Bannister New Testament Basic School comprises three classrooms, a sick bay, an office area, bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. The charity also presented seven computers to the school.

Jacqueline Johnson, FFP executive director, said the classrooms have also been outfitted with comfortable furniture to help make the learning experience a more enjoyable one. “We believe this new school is a blessing, especially as it relates to improving the level of literacy in the community,” she said.

For her part, Donnette Swearing, principal, said everyone is ecstatic.

“We are proud to say we now have access to a computer room which both teachers and children are ecstatic in using to enhance learning. Children can now enjoy listening to stories while learning new words,” she said.

She said the new kitchen facilities have made a phenomenal difference in the lives of the students. They have also been given the thumbs up from the public health and fire departments.

“We can now proudly say both the fire and public health inspectors have given us satisfactory certification,” said Swearing. “Meals are cooked and kept warm for the children; no more going back and forth to catch water to prepare meals.”

Jacqueline Johnson (left), executive director, Food For The Poor; Donnette Swearing, principal, Bannister New Testament Basic School; Audley Campbell, councillor for the Old Harbour North Division and students are delighted to participate in the ribbon cutting exercise for the official opening of the school.