GRANVILLE, St James — Carthagena Basic School in Granville, St James has moved a step closer to being certified as an early childhood institution, with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) western chapter recent hand- over of equipment for a play area, valued at $2 million.

Among the 12 standards required for certification there are clearly outlined rules for indoor and outdoor equipment, which fall under the broader category of furnishings and supplies. Failure to implement and adhere to these stipulations could result in an institution being closed so the basic school’s principal, Marcia Williams, was understandably thrilled to receive the donation.

“It’s a great, great, great, great thing, very big achievement for the school. This is one step further to get regularised with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC),” she told the Jamaica Observer. “We are grateful and happy,” she added.

The play area, which was officially handed over last week as part of Read Across Jamaica Day activities, has been outfitted with swings, see-saws, monkey bars, and other equipment that have brought smiles to the faces of the children using them. Funds were raised through a charity event held last year, and the school was chosen after Board Chairman O Dave Allen reached out to the JHTA western chapter.

“It’s been a big help because it helps them in their physical development and their cognitive development because they have to climb and see how they can come back down,” said Williams.

“It also teaches them how to interact and how to share. Sometimes they don’t like to share, and because there are limited things over there, they have to share. But they are really having fun,” she continued.

The educator said the school is badly in need of a playing field, slide, and other equipment, and she is hoping that others will follow the JHTA western chapter’s example.

“I contacted somebody about the slide and they say $60,000 plus for material; workmanship not included. The school doesn’t have that sort of money,” she admitted.

“The next thing we need is a ramp [as] that would push us further in our quest to get fully regularised — that is the most important thing now,” said Williams.

According to chair of JHTA’s western chapter, Nadine Spence, they are committed to doing more for the institution.

“We want to do some more work in terms of getting them benches, just whatever their needs are. We have individual entities within the tourism space who have committed to supporting the school even further,” she disclosed.

“A number of the workers in tourism are from that space and, based on what we have learned, the first golf course in St James was set up in that area. It’s a start in the right direction,” Spence said.

According to Williams, the school has seen an increase in enrolment in recent times, and with the improvements in infrastructure she anticipates that its student population will grow.

“It was down but we are working to develop the school. It was 20-odd and now we are at 50 plus students,” she said.