REHABILITATION work at Albert Town Primary and Infant School in Trelawny is set to resume today, with an extra push over the next three weeks as the Ministry of Education moves to have the Hurricane Melissa-ravaged institution ready for the start of the new academic year.

The school was among the institutions hardest hit by the Category 5 storm last October, and Principal Godfrey Blake reported that the daily operation of classes was several disrupted.

“Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to our institution. Roofs were removed from several sections of the school, our fencing was lost, and a number of water tanks were blown away. The damage created real challenges for our school community as these facilities are essential to maintaining a safe and functional learning environment,” said Blake.

Following a visit to the school last Thursday, minister of state in the Ministry of Education Rhoda Moy Crawford said the contractor is expected to return to the site today to advance the remaining works, including repairs to sections of the ceiling and the start of work on the school’s perimeter fence.

Crawford said while significant progress has been made in some areas at the school, other aspects of the rehabilitation require greater urgency.

“There are aspects of the work that I’m satisfied with, for example, the roofing. However, there are other aspects that I’m really not pleased with the pace of the work,” said Crawford.

“The team from National Education Trust (NET) is here. We have reached out to the contractor. We expect him to be on site on Monday,” added Crawford.

Minister of state in the Ministry of Education Rhoda Moy Crawford examines one of the damaged whiteboards at Albert Town Primary and Infant School in Trelawny during a tour of the institution last Thursday.  (Photo: JIS)

She noted that work on the perimeter fence had not yet started but is expected to get under way soon.

Crawford also announced that 14 whiteboards damaged during the passage of the hurricane will be replaced and should be delivered to the school this week.

The state minister noted that additional work is required on sections of the ceiling before painting can commence, and underscored the need for the remaining rehabilitation to proceed expeditiously.

“We have about three plus weeks left. The contractors and the work team, they really will have to work overtime in the upcoming weeks,” said Crawford who expressed satisfaction with the electrical repairs undertaken at the school as she noted that the lights have been replaced and ceiling fans installed.

She also pointed to the installation of hurricane straps as an important feature of the rehabilitation work, and underscored that the ministry is seeking to improve the resilience of school infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Trelawny Southern Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert welcomed the assessment of the rehabilitation works and urged school administrators to promptly report challenges that could affect their completion.

“When things are not going well you have to be the first round of contact that reaches out for help,” said Dalrymple-Philibert.

She also underscored the importance of ensuring that resources provided for the rehabilitation of schools are effectively utilised.

“The funds are allotted; the Government has spent. We must see that the money is spent wisely,” added Dalrymple-Philibert.

For her part, the school’s Vice-Principal Shirley Frater welcomed the minister’s visit and expressed optimism that the outstanding works will be completed in time for the reopening of school.

“I want to thank the team for coming in and ensuring that things are ready for September,” said Frater.

“I know it is a short space of time that is left but we are hoping that if they work fast enough then we will be well prepared for September,” Frater added.

— JIS