MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Mandeville Infant School, over the years, has developed a reputation for offering high-quality education.

As such, each year it is the dream and determination of many parents to get their young ones in one of the available and coveted places open to new students.

While the school has had a permit from the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) to operate, improving the standards and attaining ECC certification remained elusive.

According to regional director for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in Region 5 (Manchester and St Elizabeth), Dr Nadine Leachman, gaining certification is “not a walkover”.

Leachman made the comment during the dedication ceremony for renovated bathroom facilities at the school recently.

Undeterred, however, the team at Mandeville Infant, led by Principal Julian McGregor-Williams, embarked on the journey to certification last May.

The principal told the Jamaica Observer Central that they set a deadline for December 2018 to complete all the requirements.

With commitment to the mission at hand, she said, they worked even on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.