Devon Evans,
Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
THE REOPENING of the new school year in St. Ann was marred yesterday by the inability of the authorities at the Cascade All-Age School in south-west St. Ann to resume classes as a result of protest action by residents.
The staff and students were locked out of the school by residents most of whom were parents in protest against what they described as the deteriorating state of the facility and the lack of attention from the government despite numerous requests for assistance.
Acting principal Myrna Hosey and students who turned up at the school early yesterday morning, were surprised to find the gates to the institution padlocked and militant residents declaring that no classes would be held until the deplorable conditions there were adequately addressed.
For most of the day, the residents assembled outside the school gate and the principal was eventually forced to cancel all classes. It is uncertain if the protest will continue today, although several protesters vowed to maintain their militancy until they hear from the education ministry.
CLASSROOMS FALLING APART
The residents told The Gleaner that one block of classrooms had been falling apart for a number of years and the situation had become worse about five years ago when the staircase leading to the upper floor of the building collapsed, leaving that section inaccessible.
They also pointed to the dilapidated condition of the pit latrine, arguing that the facility should be condemned by the State, as it had become a health hazard. They also charged that the school's playfield had been reduced to a pond due to a lack of maintenance.
Another serious concern of the residents is the safety of the students, as they claim that the support on which a huge water tank is mounted on the compound could give way at anytime and they want the tank to be removed
immediately.
Principal Maxwell Ford, who was scheduled to resume duties yesterday after returning from his vacation leave, was surprised to find the school gate padlocked, but sympathised with the action.
When contacted, Ernest Smith, Member of Parliament for St. Ann South West, said the action taken by the residents was prompted by neglect on the part of those in authority.
