CAMBERWELL, ST Mary — For the 20 students of Camberwell Primary School, getting an education means walking two and a half to three miles on an unfinished main road with a major breakaway.

Work started on the Camberwell Main Road, under the Government’s Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK) programme, but residents say the surface deteriorated during a period of heavy rainfall in February, before it caved in.

“The road work has been ongoing for some time now. We understand the work is necessary and that ultimately, it should improve access. However the pace at which it has been progressing has created significant challenges for us, particularly where access to the school is concerned,” principal of Camberwell Primary Sandrena Johnson told the Jamaica Observer.

The school is a tiny institution serving a deep rural community that depends on only two taxis which ply the Camberwell to Annotto Bay route.

According to Johnson, the school population has declined over the years due to migration leaving the current population of 20 students and four teachers all of whom now have to face the difficult journey daily.

“It has affected us significantly. At different points, access to the school has been extremely difficult and our students and staff have to trek the long walk. It is even more so whenever there is heavy rainfall,” Johnson explained as she pointed out that the challenges go beyond the walk.

“We have also had challenges with our water supply which affects sanitation and the preparation of meals. There were days when we simply could not operate face-toface and to resort to remote Johnson pointed out.

She said attendance and punctuality for students and teachers have also declined.

“Some parents are genuinely trying, but the circumstances are beyond their control. We have even had concerns raised by parents about whether they may eventually have to transfer their children if the situation continues,” the principal pointed out.

Johnson underscored that the safety of her students and staff is her priority.

“Safety is one of our greatest concerns. We are dealing with young children and having them navigate an unfinished road and walk that distance is not something we can take lightly. Education is important, but we cannot compromise safety in trying to access education.

“What we are really hoping for now is some urgency and where possible, a clearer indication of the time line for completion. My appeal is simply for the work to be expedited. This is affecting children’s access to education,” added Johnson.

The incomplete roadwork is also placing a strain on residents of the area whose children attend schools outside the community.

Sandra Brown, a resident of Rosemount told the Observer that her son who attends Annotto Bay High School and now has to pay double the fare daily.

“The situation has affected my pocket as I have to find money for two fares from here and then when he goes to Annotto Bay another fare to get to school and I have not factored in lunch money. It is costing me over $1,000 per day,” Brown said.

Like many residents, she hopes to see the work done quickly.

“My greatest fear is that the road is not finished and the rains begin and the breakaway will only get worse,” added Brown as she and her neighbours hope the road rehabilitation will be completed quickly.

That hope is magnified by the students and teachers at Camberwell Primary.

“It would mean safer and easier access, improved attendance and punctuality, and a return to some level of normalcy. Most importantly, our children would be able to focus on learning without the added challenge of simply trying to get to school,” said the school’s principal.

Students in class at Camberwell Primary recently