KINGSTON, Jamaica: Three schools in rural Jamaica have expressed gratitude to the Japanese Embassy, following the signing of grant agreements on Wednesday to purchase much-needed school buses.

The funds, totalling $28.8 million, will facilitate the acquisition of two 29-seater Toyota Coaster buses and one 15-seater bus for the institutions under the Government of Japan’s Grassroots Human Security Project.

The beneficiaries are Rest Primary and Infant School, and Bustamante High School in Clarendon, and Port Antonio Primary School in Portland.

Principal of Rest Primary, Sandra Smith, shared that the institution has been yearning for a school bus for over 10 years.

She said the idea of having a bus was proposed by the physical education teacher who desired transport to take students to meets as well as school and field trips with ease.

“Being located in the sugar belt, which is no longer a vibrant industry in the area, our students are often faced with difficulty coming to school because, most times, parents say they don’t have the fare for the bus. Transportation is not frequent… in the area. [So] acquiring this bus, it is a godsend,” Smith said.

She is hopeful that the bus will improve student attendance and punctuality.

“There are not enough words to express our gratitude to you our valued stakeholders. But the care that will be taken of this bus will speak volumes,” Smith stated.

Board Chair of Port Antonio Primary School, Paulette Brimm-Smith, said the partnership will have a lasting and tangible impact on the students’ lives.

“The generous gift of a school bus from the Embassy of Japan is more than a contribution. It is an investment in the daily experiences of our children. It will ease the journey to education, create new opportunities for participation and remove barriers that too often limit potential,” Brimm-Smith said, pointing out that the support is an example of how access can translate into achievement.

For her part, Vice Chair of Bustamante High School, Delinda Chablal, said the institution is extremely grateful for the assistance.

“Having a school bus is priceless. It will assist us in enriching our students’ experiences by facilitating excursions and field trips, which will not only motivate them to learn about their world but… also help them in developing their interests, which can lead to future careers,” Chablal said.

She added that the bus and the opportunities it will provide, will contribute to the students’ holistic development and, by extension, the community’s long-term future.

– JIS

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