Principal of the Irons Mountain Primary School Audrey Lowe believes that the constant migration of young people out of the small rural community has significantly impacted on the number of students attending the institution.

“Young people are leaving the community for better opportunities,” she told the Jamaica Observer North and East during a recent visit to the school located just outside Claremont in St Ann.

The educator also believes the drop in population is as a result of residents being more responsible and taking steps not to have too many children.

“Gone are the days when people are having seven and 17 children. People are aware of the economic hardships,” Lowe said.

There are currently 44 students and three teachers at the institution, which is over 120 years old. However, Lowe and her team are looking to change this. Lowe believes the continued existence of the school, despite the dwindling numbers, is important. Apart from its historical value to the community, with the school serving several generations, Irons Mountain Primary is the only option for many students at the primary level.

“Irons Mountain is a poor community and some parents really don’t have it,” Lowe said. She said some parents are not able to afford sending their children outside the community.

“It has been here for years; my parents came to this school,” she said.

The school was started in 1888 by the Irons brothers. The building which was used then served both as the community’s school and church. In the 1950s all that changed when a new church was constructed.

Lowe said over the years the school has been doing well academically; however, the principal wants to make further improvements in order to attract students from neighbouring communities.

“We have been doing well. For the last two years we had 100 per cent literacy passes; however, that dropped to 75 per cent last year,” she said. The principal said students have also been doing well in the Grade Six Achievement Test.

Lowe said the school is continuing efforts to improve academic standings in order to attract more students. She pointed out that due to the remoteness of the community which is located between Claremont and Golden Grove, it is difficult to get parents to send their children to the school.

In order to become more attractive, Lowe said she would also like the government to follow on promises to remove the pit latrines from the school.

“We are waiting on the ministry to address that,” she said.

In addition to its physical structure, Lowe wants internet access for the school and for students to have access to computers.

Lowe said when teachers want to access the internet they have to rely on their phones. She also explained that printing has to be done outside the school.

While there are challenges, Lowe and her team are working to ensure students who attend the institution get a good education.

“We are working with what we have,” she said.

She said the school has a number of clubs, such as the 4H, Math, environmental and culture clubs which are helping to develop the children. Lowe indicated that the effort to achieve the holistic development of students, the school participates in the Jamaica cultural Development Commissions festivals and in major parish athletics events.

“We do well in 4H,” she said. The school is to receive assistance with a garden because of their involvement in the 4H club; however, due to the lack of fencing at the school, this has not been done.