ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central, Alando Terrelonge, is calling for the urgent approval of a long-delayed project to construct a perimeter security wall at Naggo Head Primary School, noting that more than $40 million allocated by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for the project has remained unutilised for over two years due to pending municipal corporation approval.

In a release,  Terrelonge noted “the delay of the municipal council is most concerning, and I am again calling on the ayor to act decisively to approve the plans. The safety of our children and school community must be paramount in all our affairs, irrespective of who champions development projects in our communities. We cannot wait for tragedy to strike a student or teacher at the school before action is taken. The security wall must be built without further delay. I remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that this important project moves forward so that the Naggo Head Primary community can benefit from the protection and infrastructure it deserves.”

Terrelonge said the delay is particularly troubling given the number of security breaches that have occurred at the school in recent years, and while the MOE has already allocated over $40 million for the construction of a perimeter wall at the school, the municipal corporation has been slow to act.

Naggo Head Primary School serves hundreds of students in the Portmore community, yet sections of the property remain exposed due to the absence of a secure perimeter wall, allowing unauthorised individuals to enter the compound.

According to Principal Andria  Givans, “the absence of a secure perimeter continues to expose the vulnerability of our school to repeated breaches. Our greatest concern is the safety of the children and staff, and we urgently need the necessary infrastructure to properly secure the school grounds. We have had too many incidents over the years of unauthorised persons entering the school compound and disrupting classes and school events. At our sports day event in February, I was verbally attacked and threatened. We have had persons of unsound mind throwing stones at teachers and students, and in one incident in 2022, gangs entered the school compound fighting with knives and other weapons which caused much panic and trauma to our students and school community.”

The school has also experienced repeated break-ins and theft, including damage to security cameras and the theft of school equipment such as wall fans, chairs, and classroom furniture during the 2024–2025 school year.

Councillor for the Southboro Division, Damara Lawson, said the situation underscores why the long-delayed project must now be prioritised. “Naggo Head Primary is a central institution within the Southboro/Newland/Naggo Head communities. Hundreds of students, parents, and teachers depend on the school grounds being safe and properly secured. The construction of this perimeter wall will significantly improve safety and help protect the school’s facilities,” said Councillor Lawson.