PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Short of 22 teachers and wheelchair ramps for a 237-year-old building in need of repair, principal of Titchfield High School Richard Thompson is doing his best to prepare for next Monday’s start of the new school year.

“We have been impacted by the teacher migration issue and an extreme difficulty in finding replacements, especially in some subject areas. I have spent the entire summer trying to find replacements as the resignations come in,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday.

It has been a challenge, he said, even though he has placed ads.

“This year it has been extremely difficult. I have been here for 15 years as principal and it is the worst I’ve seen it. We have received so far 12 resignations and we have a large number of teachers who qualify for their eight months leave who are going off,” Thompson said.

Teachers who have been on the job for a decade or more are eligible for eight months leave. In the past, some have had a challenge taking up that benefit, but the education ministry has stressed that it is an option available this year.

“We are in a position now that we need about 22 or more teachers. We are still without two physics teachers, two history teachers, a geography teacher,” said the Titchfield High principal. “But we are trying our best and hoping that between now and Monday we will have those positions in place. We have started to think of different ways to reach our students in the event that we don’t find replacements for these teachers.”

Even if he is able to identify replacements, he is concerned that they will not be as experienced as those he has lost. This year, Thompson said, is the “second wave” of departures he has seen as teachers leave for more lucrative jobs overseas.

“We are concerned that it will impact the quality of teaching and learning process. Some new teachers come with some new ideas but we have to provide the guidance and mentorship to them, and it takes a while to bring them to the level that the students can maximise the benefit,” said Thompson.

“We are hopeful and slightly anxious and looking forward to what this new school year will be like. Some of our teachers going off on leave have indicated that they are burnt out and want to preserve self first. Some reluctantly are willing to be re-employed, that we are exploring,” he added.

He juggles the search for teachers with making sure the school’s physical plant can accommodate them and their students. When the Observer visited Wednesday morning, construction was in progress.

“We are in normal preparation mode for back-to-school come Monday, September 4. We have engaged in preparation in terms of repairs. This is an old plant… It is close to the sea so every year we have to do significant repairs,” said Thompson.

This year there is the added task of ensuring that the school is able to meet the needs of those with physical disability.

“We are doing some special modifications, building some wheelchair access ramps. We’ll have at least one such student this year needing that access. We have lobbied the Ministry of Education for support and they have stepped in, putting in some ramps, not all the ramps that we need but enough to begin with for now,” said the principal.

Over at Port Antonio High they were in a much better position. Principal Basil Graham told the Observer they were only short of two English language teachers, broken furniture had been repaired so there was no need to purchase any, and the authorities have given the green light for classes on Monday.

“The school plant has been cleaned and inspected by both fire and public health departments and has been passed for habitation,” said Graham.

There was still some cleaning taking place when the Observer visited. The only problem the principal mentioned was with teaching material.

“We have received text books but they are insufficient for all students of all grades,” said Graham.

Meanwhile, principal of Port Antonio Primary Terri-Ann Palmer has indicated that they are about 90 per cent ready, thanks to support from stakeholders.

“Our teachers are in place; we have cleaned up and painted along with doing some repairs. Workmen, teachers, and parents have assisted and we have some plumbing to be completed. The material is in place as we await the plumber,” she said.

One parent was seen painting when the Observer visited.

At Norwich Primary, Principal Joy Thompson said they have teachers for all subjects and are ready to receive 150 students come Monday.

“Repairs and painting have been done by all staff, past students, and parents who have assisted,” said Thompson.

The school also benefited from an educational grant as well as assistance from Councillor Dexter Rowland (People’s National Party, Port Antonio) and aspiring Member of Parliament Colin Bell.

According to Thompson, Rowland and Bell assisted “with the fencing of the school premises that has helped to make the school more secure”.