A READING and diagnostic centre is to be constructed at the Point Hill Primary and Junior High School in St. Catherine at a cost of approximately $5 million.
The project will be carried out through the efforts of the Point Hill community, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, which will contribute about $2 million. Other agencies are expected to contribute to the centre, which should be completed by April, 2003.
At the ground breaking ceremony held at the school on August 28, Principal of the school, Elaine Allen, told JIS News that the project was conceived to assist students with reading disorders.
Mrs. Allen explained that through the work of the school's staff, the alumni association, the Board of Management, and several community members, efforts were well underway to realise the total funding for the completion and furnishing of the building, as well as to employ the services of four or five specialists for the diagnostic centre.
She said that the centre would consist of two diagnostic rooms, an administrative area, staff room, textbook room, a room for specialists, two classrooms and rest rooms for disabled persons.
The Principal said that in addition, the centre was intended to provide a computer laboratory for residents of Point Hill and surrounding communities. Mrs. Allen said that over time, the computer laboratory would serve the communities of Watermount, Lluidas Vale, Kentish, Garden Hill, Juan de Bolas, Kitson Town, Eccleston and Browns Hall.
