THE NEW Freetown Primary School in Clarendon was opened on Monday morning March 26, with 250 students attending classes.
Construction of the facility, at a cost of $42.8 million, commenced in August last year, as part of a relocation plan to make way for the building of the Old Harbour bypass as well as to alleviate over-crowding at the old school.
Principal of the school, Flora Earle, told JIS News that the new facility could accommodate over 300 students, adding that the complex comprised nine classrooms, a library/reading room, lunch room and canteen, staff-room, principal's office, a sick bay, toilets and two storerooms. She noted that the old school was housed in two rooms.
Mrs. Earle said that there was enough space for football, cricket and netball facilities.
The principal said in addition to the communities of Cockpit, Sandy Bay, Bodles, Bodles Crescent and Freetown, which the old school served, students from the districts of Longsville Park and Tarentum could be accommodated.
She expressed delight at the quality of construction, architectural design and space provided. "The students will learn more in this new environment," she said.
Director of Technical Services in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Lauriston Wilson, said the school, constructed by West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON), had been completed on time and to specification, ensuring that adequate space was provided.
Mr. Wilson said that with the demolition of the old facility in July last year, two temporary buildings were erected within a 6-week period to accommodate the children for the new school year in September, until the completion of the new facility.
