With intense heat expected to test students’ comfort, Airy Castle Primary Principal Dawn Graham is hoping conditions will not become a trigger for aggression this academic year.

“I’m… looking for a better school year than last year in terms of behaviour [because] that has been a concern, especially amongst our grade six students for last year. I’m hoping that the heat is not going to be a trigger to aggressive behaviour,” she told the Jamaica Observer during a visit to the school last week.

The heat was already severe enough to affect adults during a recent training session at the school. Graham is concerned about what conditions could be like once what she described as poorly ventilated classrooms are filled with children for extended periods.

“I sat in a training session with the teachers and the support staff and it was really hot. It was hot to the point that I know that at least two adults complained of severe headache, including myself… When those students are together in that space… I am [expecting we will be] seeing serious fatigue, especially in the afternoon and when the sun is really up,” she expressed.

The educator is counting on parents to keep students in check, despite the challenging circumstances.

“I’m hoping the parents are ready to give their support. I’m looking forward to an improved year, in especially, parent support,” said Graham.

In addition to keeping students cool, school officials will also have to keep an eye on their water supply.

St Thomas is among the parishes affected by water prohibition measures put in place to ration the commodity, as much of the country remains in the grip of a worrying dry spell. According to Graham, Airy Castle has experienced water problems in the past and they are watching closely to see whether the current conditions will place additional pressure on its supply.

“We will not act as though this is not a concern because the drought is upon us. We have already started to see the effects of the drought on the green areas,” she said.

School Bell a ring logo.

The school currently has two full tanks, including one holding about 4,000 gallons, giving it a measure of protection as students return. Graham has a lot of confidence that support will be provided by the regional arm of the Ministry of Education if needed.

“What I am particularly impressed by is that in our region, they have been doing their checks and balances. The schools are already checked to see how many tanks are available, whether we are having difficulties with getting water for next week or storage. They have already checked that… so, for now, we are safe for starting,” she told the Observer.

But there is still the possibility of disruptions, and she would love to have more storage capacity.

“Should the piped water be affected, as it usually is sometimes, we are going to have serious problems,” Graham warned.

She explained that even before the current drought conditions, they have had challenges that have forced them to rely on trucked water.

“Water lock-offs are an issue here, mainly if the pump is broken or damaged, and that happens… about 40 per cent of the time. When it does happen, it is prolonged. Might be a month or more where you have to get trucked water sometimes, so it is a concern,” she said.

“I would think that we need to get more tanks in, which the ministry, as I said, they have been doing well at that by doing their checks and trying to put plans in place… We could do with another 2,000-gallon tank to be on the safe side; or another 4,000-gallon would be nice,” she added.

Despite concerns about the water supply and heat, Graham said Airy Castle is largely ready for the new school year, with about 90 to 95 per cent of preparations completed when the
Observer visited last Tuesday.

The remaining work involves basic infrastructure repairs, electrical work, and maintenance, which she said are being funded through grants from the education ministry.