Education Ministry Stands by Naggo Head Fence Timeline as Portmore Mayor Pushes Back

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has issued a formal defence of Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon after she faced sharp questioning on Wednesday over remarks about slow sign-off for a perimeter fence at Naggo Head Primary School in Portmore.

In a written release, the ministry said government files back the minister's position that approvals dragged on for an unusually long period, even though Portmore councillors disputed that account and told her to verify her information.

"The documentary record confirms that the project was subjected to an extended end-to-end approval process involving land, planning, access, and municipal authorisation before the final building permit was issued," the ministry stated.

Officials said the Portmore Municipal Corporation (PMC) logged incoming letters about the planned fence as far back as November 28, 2024. By February 2025, the corporation had asked for further action, including evidence of ownership, talks with ministry staff, and certified drawings.

The release noted that construction was halted under a stop order after work had already started. On April 16, 2025, the school board chairman contacted the permanent secretary, seeking help to restart the job.

According to the ministry, the National Land Agency (NLA) sent a no-objection letter on May 22, 2025. Morris Dixon then wrote to the PMC asking that building resume, citing worries about pupils' safety and security.

The ministry added that the PMC said the file would go before its Physical Planning and Environment Committee on July 1, 2025. Despite follow-up letters from the minister in January 2026, "the building permit was eventually granted almost one year later than the planned meeting date — dated April 7, 2026."

The statement argued the case shows how overlapping permits and split responsibilities can stall urgent public works, including projects meant to protect children.

The release followed pushback from the PMC at its monthly sitting on Wednesday. Mayor Leon Thomas denied that the municipality caused the hold-ups. He said the local authority moved quickly throughout and even approved a waiver to help get the fence built because of safety risks at the school.

Thomas also stressed that several bodies had to sign off, including the NLA.

Morris Dixon had raised the fence dispute while speaking on the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill in the Senate, using the school's experience to argue for the proposed law.

On Thursday evening, the NLA said it had received an application tied to the property and was working through it under the government's Policy Framework and Procedures Manual for the Divestment of Government-Owned Lands 2015, together with rules set out in the agency's Strategic Business Plan.

Responding to questions from The Gleaner, the NLA said the Commissioner of Lands, as Jamaica's main steward of state-owned land, must complete due diligence and consult stakeholders before deciding whether sites are fit for their proposed use.

The agency added that where land is held for government bodies, those bodies must be told of any beneficial interest so they can decide wisely on divestment.