ST TOOLIES, Manchester – A donation of a fence, toys and well-needed items by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to the Alexander Basic School here has been lauded by school leaders as a significant move to get the institution to a higher standard.

CHEC is the contractor of the US$188-million May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000 which passes through St Toolies.

Valton Simpson, health, safety and environmental engineering manager at CHEC, told the Jamaica Observer that the Chinese firm remains committed to assisting in the development of Jamaica through not only infrastructural works, but also community outreach.

“Our plan is to engage in some community development and sustainable programmes and what has happened here is one such where we have made a contribution to the Alexander Basic School by donating educational and welfare items which will help the students and staff as they provide a fertile ground for education,” he said.

Simpson and his colleagues from CHEC erected the fence during a presentation ceremony at the school last Friday.

“CHEC is not only excellent in the building of highways and byways, but CHEC sees the need to help institutions like the Alexander Basic School in building bridges for the future. We all know that the future generation is very significant for the development of any country,” he said.

School Principal Claudia Morant-Baker commended CHEC for its community outreach targeting education.

“The school has been faced with a lot of challenges over the years, because it is on a compound we have seen where the cows, goats, all animals they come in their droppings are always here. The Ministry of Health and the Early Childhood Commission have always highlighted that we need fencing for the compound, because of the hazards that are faced,” she said.

“This [donation] has made a big difference. Up to yesterday [Thursday] the goats were sheltering here from the rain. I said to them [goats] ‘this is your last day, so please enjoy. This move today, we are greatly appreciative for it,” she added.

She said the fencing of the school will assist in it officially being registered. The school started nearly 30 years ago inside the St Toolies New Testament Church by Pastor Samuel Alexander Sr.

School Board Chairman Samuel Alexander Jr, whose father the school is named after, also lauded CHEC.

“We are celebrating another step in the advancement of Alexander Basic School with the donation of this fence. School safety is an important aspect of school management and this donation today will go a far way in achieving that objective to have a safe environment for our students to be able to learn in,” he said.

“We are eternally grateful for this contribution from CHEC,” he added.

Member of Parliament for Manchester Southern Robert Chin commended and encouraged CHEC to continue spreading its outreach.

“It is good that CHEC can come out and offer this kind of donation to this basic school, it is well needed. I know children from this area are not in the best of financial circumstances, so when I see NROCC and CHEC reaching out and giving back to the community I must applaud them,” said Chin.