ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary — Heavy rain in south-east St Mary has left Long Road Primary School in limbo. Principal Audreth Gardner is unsure when classes will resume due to flooded classrooms, leaky roofs, treacherous road conditions, and lack of transportation for students and staff.

Gardener, who has been principal for the past six years and is very familiar with weather-related challenges over the years, said last Thursday was the worse it has ever been. She was among several members of staff and students marooned for more than five hours as heavy rain flooded the road leading out of their community. Neighbouring schools, such as Camberwell Primary and Baxter Primary, also suffered the same fate.

“The road is non-existent,” Gardner lamented, citing safety concerns for students and staff. With 44 students and eight staff members, transportation is a major issue. The drivers of the school’s Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) bus and the lone taxi that serves the community have threatened to withdraw their services due to the road conditions.

The principal recounted the terror and tension experienced when the water subsided, the road cleared, and a bus was able to enter the community to evacuate students and staff. She said the driver had to navigate the treacherous road with extreme caution, reportedly having to “play chess” to avoid potholes and debris. It was a harrowing journey for everyone on board, said Gardner.

This latest incident has left residents frustrated.

“It’s like we’re being punished for living in this area,” said one individual who asked not to be identified by name.

Principal Gardner is pleading with Member of Parliament Christopher Brown for help in addressing the deplorable road conditions.

“We need to go back to our daily lives and continue the teaching and learning process so that when we see a slight hint of rainfall we do not get agitated,” said the school administrator.

According to Gardner, students who were marooned for hours have been left traumatised. Their peers and staff from neighbouring schools are also being affected by the poor road conditions. They were also left marooned by recent rain.

“We need help, and we need it now,” said Gardner.

The Ministry of Education has been advised of the situation and a team is expected to visit Long Road Primary to assess the damage. In the meantime, the principal is working with the community to provide support to affected students and staff.

A section of Camberwell Road which was undermined by flooding in sections of St Mary last Thursday.