LESS fortunate children in around Spanish Town, St Catherine, should soon have access to another secondary school and this time it will be at no cost to their parents.

Co-founder and national ambassador for Christel House Jamaica Sally Porteous on Wednesday announced that the private educational institution has started the construction of a high school which will allow underprivileged youth in Jamaica to access free education in St Catherine.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Christel House Jamaica High School, Porteous described the plans as a “significant milestone in our journey towards providing world-class education for the most impoverished children of Spanish Town”.

“We are laying the foundation for a state-of-the-art educational facility that will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations to come. This is testament to our belief in the power of education to transform lives and build a brighter future for the children of Jamaica,” added Porteous.

Christel House Jamaica is a private school owned by global children’s charity organisation Christel House International that started its operations in Jamaica in 2020 with a mission to transform lives and to break the cycle of poverty.

The tuition-free institution currently caters to students at the primary school level and is looking to cater to students at the secondary level, up to sixth form, starting next April.

While discussing the plans for the high school with journalists, Porteous said that once the high school is built students will progress to the secondary level without taking an exit-examination as they will be allowed to remain at Christel House Jamaica for secondary education.

“In the primary school we will have 420 students. We presently have 360 students and when the high school is complete there will be another 420 making a total of 840 children that will be at Christel House,” she explained.

Porteous said the high school will be a two-storey building, costing approximately $508 million to construct.

Principal of Christel House Jamaica Jason Scott said they will have up to 60 students at each grade level, with 25-30 students in each classroom.

“Next year when we move to grade six, grades two to six will have a class teacher and an assistant teacher. So really the ratio when we work out specialist teachers and everything is 13 students to one teacher and it will be similar for the high school,” he said.

Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams praised the school for its efforts so far and acknowledged the importance of providing education to students from nearby low-income households.

“Christel House Jamaica is more than just a school, it is a symbol of optimism, a sanctuary of learning and a catalyst for powerful change in our community by providing comprehensive support,” she said.

“The partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the Christel House, forged through a memorandum of understanding and agreement, is a prime example of what can be achieved when public and private entities come together with a shared vision and purpose, and it helps that you have someone who would not take no for an answer,” added Williams.

Board Chairman Steadman Fuller described the school as the “best kept secret”.

According to Fuller, it is essential for the country’s educational development for more people to know about what is happening at the school.

He said the school is not just impacting the lives of children but it is doing the same for parents.

“In transforming the lives of the children we are transforming the attitude of the parents who recognise that the children have possibilities, and when you walk into an institution like this, and you see the kids, you will never know that there are coming from broken homes, difficult homes, challenging homes, because the environment lifts them,” added Fuller who is also the custos of Kingston.