ISLINGTON, St Mary – Spurred into action after an article published in the Jamaica Observer in September highlighted problems at Horace Clarke High School, members of the private sector have stepped in to provide help.

Managing director of Phil’s Hardware, Basil Phillips has given a committed to paint, restore, and tile the staff room. He will also retrofit two containers which will be used as classrooms and donate two printers to be used in the staff and reading rooms.

In the meantime, Geddes Refrigeration has promised to provide two air-conditioning units for the staff room.

Chairman of the school board Omar Newell is elated by the show of support.

“The school doesn’t have a strong alumni group; therefore, anything to fill a void is appreciated,” Newell told the Observer.

He said Nationwide News Network CEO Cliff Hughes has shown some interest in the school and has promised to provide personal support.

“Mr Hughes is an advocate and ally who has his roots in St Mary, which is welcoming, and I am looking forward to his partnership,” said Newell, who has been selected to represent the People’s National Party in the St Mary Central constituency in the next general election,

In a story carried by the Observer on September 3, Newell listed a number of challenges being faced by the school and expressed concern about the impact they would have on its operations.

“The school has an issue with classroom space, lack of perimeter fencing, termites and furniture shortage. The Sixth Form Pathway programme is at the school and currently the auditorium is used for these classes, which can be inconvenient for the teaching/learning environment,” he told the Observer then.

Newell also complained that termite infestation continues to persist, three years after the education ministry did an assessment of the issue.