WOODLANDS, Hanover  — The Ministry of Education and two overseas-based organisations — Unconditional Love for Children Inc and Links Incorporated — have joined forces to construct an early childhood department on the grounds of the Watford Hill Primary School in Woodlands, Hanover.

When complete, the facility will merge with the primary school and be renamed Watford Hill Primary and Basic School.

“So in terms of the Ministry of Education, we are on board in terms of this partnership. We have done the drawings. And so we are going through the whole process of procuring the contractors and all of that,” said region four director at the education ministry, Dr Michele Pinnock.

“And, so we will now be merging the Woodlands Basic with this school (Watford Hill Primary) to ensure that we have quality at the early childhood section,” she added.

Dr Pinnock was speaking with the Jamaica Observer West last week Wednesday at the Watford Hill Primary School following a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a block to house the basic school at the institution.

The group had planned to construct one classroom. However, in order to meet the standards of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), the Ministry of Education decided, instead, to construct a complete block with three classrooms, a music room, special education room, kitchen, and male and female bathrooms.

Principal of Watford Hill Primary Jason Richardson said the idea to have an early childhood department came about through the school’s past students’ association, and was supported by the Dr Earl and Carolyn Glenn-founded Unconditional Love for Children Inc and Links Incorporated.

He said that over the years the Glenns have been supporting the school through various projects, including the construction of a pavilion and kitchen, as well as a donation of desks and chairs.

National president of Links Incorporated, Dr Glenda Newell-Harris, said her organisation is looking forward to contributing more to Jamaica’s education system next year.

“We appreciate the fact that we are so warmly received when we come to this country. We feel at home here and we really feel the love and appreciation.

And, you know, I think it just want to make us keep giving and giving. Last year we had 80 to 90 people that came. We have 150, I understand, that came this time. So we are planning for another big trip next year,” said Dr Newell-Harris.

Dr Pinnock expressed appreciation for the work undertaken by the group, as well as other stakeholders, over the years.

“So the impact of Links is real for me, and you see it growing from strength to strength. We know the resilience and creativity of our Jamaican people, so we know that we are a very resilient people and we are committed to projects where we are able to see the benefits in the short term. And so I must lift my hat off to my principals, their boards, the teachers, the parents … who have actually ran with these Links projects,” she explained.

Apart from the ground-breaking for the basic school, the groups also staged two days of activities at Watford Hill Primary School.

Among the activities were: school gardening, dental care, the playing of games, including chess, and life-saving exercises. The school also received six Amazon Kindle Fire tablets.