SIX new classrooms constructed at a cost of $24 million were handed over to the Aabuthnott Gallimore High School in St Ann during a ceremony held at the institution on January 31.

The classrooms, which are able to accommodate 300 students, were handed over by Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites.

Construction was undertaken as part of the Ministry of Education’s thrust to improve the learning environment at the institution.

Previously, teachers and students held classes in the open corridors, under trees or along the sides of the school buildings.

In his address, Thwaites said one of the impediments to effective teaching and learning is the poor physical conditions and inadequate classroom space.

“This ceremony is the first of more than 12 school expansion ceremonies that will be held this year, as the government moves to provide adequate classroom spaces for the education of our children,” Thwaites said.

He called on the student body to care for the facilities and to make the best use of them to enhance their learning.

He also said the ministry will be assisting the institution to establish a fully equipped science lab, in order that the student population can begin to significantly improve in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Meanwhile, Thwaites urged the business community and other funding institutions to join in supporting the educational development of the country’s future leaders by partnering with the ministry or with any institution of learning.

“I call on the wider community to demonstrate your interest in the education of our children. Show that you are interested and that you are working to do something to lift up yourselves and a generation beyond yourself, to which you can contribute in the smallest way possible. Those are the things that can add joy and happiness to your life,” he asserted.

He expressed hope that in years to come there will be better days for education in Jamaica, as government and the wider community partner together for the children.

For his part, Member of Parliament for South West St Ann, Keith Walford, expressed appreciation to the minister for assisting the Aabuthnott Gallimore High School, and called on the student population to “appreciate the facilities and care for them, thereby ensuring that students (present and future), will benefit”.