WHITHORN, Westmoreland — The stress levels of administrators at some Westmoreland schools increase with each cold front, each rainy and windy day like the ones experienced in sections of the country over the last few days. Each strong breeze wreaks havoc with tarpaulin that is being relied upon to keep out the rain. It is hard to focus on preparing students for Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations when they are struggling to keep water off the roof above their heads and the floor beneath their feet.

Ferris Primary School, which lost an entire building and sustained roof damage to its remaining two structures, has struggled to hold consistent face-to-face classes due to ongoing rainfall. Principal Tracie Campbell is concerned about the preparedness of her 72 PEP students. There are 20 sixth graders who will do the exam on April 29 and 30; another 22 fifth graders have their test on June 10; and on June 24, her 32 fourth graders will do their exams.

“The weather conditions have torn off the tarpaulins,” Campbell bemoaned.

“So we are back to square one. Students cannot come out. My teachers have been very supportive in getting the grade six students out whenever possible, just to utilise every minute and every second to have them ready for the upcoming PEP exams,” she added.

Ferris Primary was among three schools that received financial help on February 19 and Campbell is grateful.

“This contribution today will go a far way. On behalf of the students, parents and school board, we want to say thank you very much,” she said.

Abigail Malcolm, People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker candidate for the Cornwall Mountain Division, has been actively assisting residents in her division as they rebuild. Through donations secured from Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland Dwayne Vaz and other sponsors, Malcolm has raised funds to provide vouchers, care packages and building supplies.

Her most recent initiative saw Ferris Primary, Coke’s View Primary and Whithorn Early Childhood Institution each receiving a cheque valued at $50,000, to be used at their discretion.

“Education is the key. Education is the foundation, and it is crucial that we invest in our youth. Without proper education, the youth aren’t going anywhere,” Malcolm said.

For Ferris Primary’s Campbell, the funds will be used to pragmatically fill a basic need.

“There are many things we could do with it, but right now I want to focus on purchasing [printer] toners so that the grades four, five and six students can practise past PEP papers and better prepare for their upcoming exams,” she explained.

For Principal of Coke’s View Primary, Dwayne Vanhorne, there are similar struggles. It is a daily battle to keep the weather from eating at students’ time in the classroom. The school received two tents to serve as temporary classrooms, but flooding has created major challenges.

“When it’s raining like this, we have to dismiss them early,” he told the Observer. “Despite the trenches we try to dig around the tents, they still become flooded. It’s a huge challenge, but we are trying for the benefit of the children.”

Vanhorne added that the school is exploring affordable solutions, including purchasing fine gravel to improve the flooring and reduce flooding.

At Whithorn Early Childhood Institution, Principal Tracy Ann Forbes noted that not all students have returned, as some families temporarily relocated after their homes were damaged. The school’s tarpaulin-covered roof also makes it vulnerable during heavy rainfall.

“When it rains, it pours. Once it starts raining, the building leaks,” Forbes said. “Because of that, school hours are cut short. That is a big challenge we are facing at the moment.”

Despite the challenges all three school administrators are determined to do everything they can to prepare their students for PEP and beyond.

This damaged classroom at Coke’s View Primary is still awaiting repairs. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

This roofless building at Ferris Primary means students have less space to attend classes. Preparation for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) is a major challenge for many Westmoreland schools. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker candidate for the Cornwall Mountain Division Abigail Malcolm (right) hands over a $50,000 cheque to principal of Ferris Primary Tracie Campbell. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Coke’s View Primary School lost an entire concrete building which housed three classrooms when the walls crumbled under the pressure of Hurricane Melissa last October. Only the foundation remains. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Coke’s View Primary Principal Dwayne Vanhorne (left) accepts a $50,000 cheque from Abigail Malcolm, People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker candidate for the Cornwall Mountain Division. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)