George Henry, Gleaner WriterAPART FROM late registration of students at some institutions and a few reported cases of furniture shortage things appeared well.
At the Sanguinetti Primary School, principal Mr. Donald Johnson told The Gleaner that there was smooth resumption of classes for the start of the new academic year.
"We had a smooth opening, except for one or two shortage of desks," said Mr. John.
He pointed out that the shortage of desks at Sanguinetti has been a long-standing problem. Mr. Johnson noted that most of the desks at the school have been around for quite a number of years and have outlived their useful purpose and needed replacement.
However he noted that the school has been promised a few desks by the Member of Parliament for North West Clarendon, Richard Azan, and he was hoping that they would come to assist in the replacement of the old furniture.
Mr. Johnson pointed out however, that the MP has donated a number of teachers' desks to the school, thus easing a shortage of furniture for his staff. He remains optimistic that the desks promised from the MP would be forthcoming.
The principal also reported that there were a few cases of parents turning up with students for late registration. The turn out as expected at the start of the new term was good almost 100 per cent.
At the Spaldings Primary, principal Ruth Brown reported that things went smoothly for the day. She said everything was in place and that the registration process went well.
SHORTAGE OF WATER
Mrs. Brown however pointed out that the school had been forced to cut back on the number of students taken in this year due to over-crowding. But the school like many others had at least one problem, that of the shortage of water.
"We did not have any water last week while we were preparing for the start up of the new school year. We did call the National Water Commission to truck water to us and that should be here soon if it has not yet arrived," said Mrs. Brown.
She also said unlike last year when there was a slight shortage of furniture, this year there is none. She pointed out that the school got benches last year, making it easier for the school to seat students. Mrs. Brown also reported that a number of desks and chairs for teachers were received from MP Richard Azan recently, making things better for her staff.
She also reported that work on a new bathroom facility, which was funded by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, was completed in time for the new school year, and was now in use for the more than 1100 students there.
