Parents demand answers

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — A group of frustrated parents of Godfrey Stewart High School students, led by their president Peta-Gaye Melbourne, staged a peaceful demonstration outside the gates of the institution on Thursday.

They are upset over teaching and learning conditions at the institution and what they see as the Ministry of Education’s slow pace in having recently demolished buildings — deemed unsafe for use — reconstructed in time for the upcoming school term.

“We have been lobbying for the refurbishment of the school for months. The last time they did any refurbishing was in March,” stated Melbourne, who is president of the school’s parent-teacher association (PTA).

“The principal, the vice-principals, they have sent numerous emails to the ministry and nothing happened until they heard that we would be out here today — then everybody starts sending people to come here,” she added.

With orientation for the acceptance of new students set for August 25, Melbourne has made it clear that she wants to see action. She said the sudden show of interest in getting things done is too little, too late.

“No, it’s not going to happen. We are not going to buy their story. We are not playing politics with education. I’m sorry if the Government doesn’t like this but this is where we are at. And if we don’t get anything by July we are coming out here again — and [that] time it’s gonna be different. I can guarantee you that it’s gonna be different. I’m not gonna tell you how different, but it’s gonna be different,” vowed the militant PTA president.

The roofs of some buildings were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October. While the school had done work on a few wooden buildings about a year and a half ago, two of them were demolished and another two are in the process of being demolished for work to be done by the National Education Trust (NET). However, since March work has reportedly stalled.

Principal of Godfrey Stewart High School, Emily Lawrence-Ricketts during an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Thursday. Anthony Lewis

Melbourne highlighted the direct impact the delays are having on the student body.

“There are several classrooms that are leaking. As soon as the rain starts falling the children have to open umbrellas. Some classes have to be dismissed because there isn’t enough umbrella room for those classes,” revealed Melbourne.

“The parents are tired of it. They are fed up with what is happening. The ministry doesn’t seem to be doing anything; or even if they are, they are moving so slowly that it’s getting to our heads. Frustration is kicking in.”

Other parents shared how the less-than-ideal environment is affecting their children’s well-being. Corinne Mick, whose son is asthmatic, explained the toll conditions have taken on his health.

“I have to give him the pumps in the morning. He wheezes and then I have to carry him and put him on the nebuliser at the hospital. I’m just asking, please, if they could just step up the process so that they can be a little bit more comfortable,” pleaded Mick.

Adrian Ellison, whose daughter attends the school, went a step further, calling on Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness to do something.

Waste material from demolished buildings at Godfrey Stewart High School in WestmorelandAnthony Lewis

Principal of the more-than- 60-year-old institution, Emily Lawrence-Ricketts explained the impact that the limited space has had on operations of the now-ending school term.

“It’s been very difficult. We have students who are on a phased basis where we don’t have all the grades coming at once; the parents have been restive about that as well. So it’s not just that we have the students coming in on a phased basis, but the ones that could even be housed in that area, we couldn’t have them coming at all,” she explained.

The stakes for the upcoming school year are high as, according to the principal, between 280 and 300 incoming fourth-form students face total displacement if the designated fourth-form block is not ready by September.

Lawrence-Ricketts said the school received word from NET that the project will continue on June 26th, but with orientation set for August 25, uncertainty and concerns remain.

“I have no idea how we would cope, because it’s not just that area. We also have the cottage where we house the nurse’s station, the two guidance counsellors, a breakfast area, and it’s also an area for a classroom that houses 25 students for cosmetology, so I don’t know. I’m hoping that by the end of August we will be better able to say what the block will look like but at this time, I am not sure,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Efforts to get a comment from Ministry of Education Region 4 Director Dr Michelle Pinnock were unsuccessful but a hopeful Lawrence-Ricketts said they often discuss the school’s challenges with her education officer. She is now encouraging parents to continue having faith in the system.

“One thing I can say about Godfrey Stewart High School PTA, they are one of the best PTAs ever in Jamaica because they are always engaged in school activities. And so I would say just wait a little, let’s see what’s going to happen. I know they’re restive — because it’s been a while — but I’m still hopeful, and I’m hoping that the PTA body might feel this… If it’s even dismal hope, I hope that they’ll feel it so that they too can see something for the end of August. I’m very, very hopeful, and I’m just asking them to just give us some more time, please,” appealed Lawrence-Ricketts.