Perimeter fencing to improve safety at Red Bank Primary
SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Red Bank Primary and Infant Department is now safer and more secure thanks to the recent installation of a perimeter fence around the school compound with the help of the Sandals Foundation, Canadian Rotary and the school’s fund-raising actvities.
A news release said that the school, which was previously only 55 per cent enclosed, sought assistance to complete the project and repair damage to the existing fence line.
With the constant flow of public traffic on the school compound and the ease of access that compromised the security and supervision of the more than 150 students, the Sandals Foundation saw it necessary to help.
“The security of the school site over the years has always been a problem and we have been victims of vandalism. On numerous occasions we have returned to school after the weekend or holiday periods to find windows broken out, walls defaced or the school’s water tank empty,” school principal, Clover Evans, said.
The project, which received a $250,000 donation from the Sandals Foundation, was also supported by Canadian Rotary and funds raised independently by the school.
“I am thankful to all our donors,” said Evans. “Thank you Sandals Foundation for always extending a generous hand to our school. We are glad to have our school grounds now secure and we can now focus fully on educating our students without worrying about safety issues or loss of school equipment.”
Executive director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, said the Foundation remains committed to helping schools across the Caribbean create the safest and most conducive learning environment for children.
“While it is critical that students have the resources they need to excel, we cannot undervalue the importance of ensuring that their learning environment is also safe and encouraging to the positive development of our children. We are very happy to be able to assist the Red Bank Primary and Infant School and in this regard, and we hope that the added security will be another factor that helps the students excel,” Clarke said.
