IN A school environment where one would have hoped to have clean surroundings and a bit of fresh air to enhance the learning experience, St. Mary High School has been forced to adapt to the opposite of this vital privilege.

The school's staff and students have fallen victims to an environment tainted with a pungent smell coming from a septic tank from which raw sewage runs onto the property.

According to teachers at the institution, the problem, which has existed for more than 10 years, has been identified and demands have been made to rectify the situation, but to no avail.

- Lisia Lynch

Senator Kern Spencer, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, said the Ministry of Education and Youth has established a major e-learning project as part of the objective of creating a knowledge-based society.

Senator Spencer was speaking at an appreciation ceremony at the Burnt Savannah Primary School in St. Elizabeth, which honoured four of its retired teachers at the Luana Club in Black River, on Tuesday.

- Rayon Dyer

A 26-year-old woman, who pleaded guilty to chopping at a policeman after a dispute, was given a three-year suspended sentence in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, when she appeared on assault charges.

The woman, Paulette Mighty of Greater Portmore, told RM Lorna Errar-Gayle that the complainant kept provoking her and eventually went on a staff bus to say bad things about her and she got fed up.

- Rasbert Turner

The Manchester Parish Council is on a 'proactive' move to minimise any fallout from the upcoming hurricane season.

Unlike previous years, the council has already carried out inspections of shelters and is now in an education mode to inform residents of their locations and responsibilities.

Secretary/manager of the parish council, Winston Palmer, said that, while the Manchester Parish Council had taken preparatory steps to deal with expected flooding and other negative effects, he was concerned about access to some shelters.

- Angelo Laurence

The Bloomfield Basic School at Swift River in Portland is to undergo $9.57 million in major upgrading work under the Culture, Health. Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

The upgrading work will include the construction of two new classrooms, the erection of perimeter fencing, the expansion of a kitchen area to be fitted with piped water and an expanded dining area, as well as the construction of new toilet facilities. The work will also include repairs to the roofing and the installation of electrical wiring and fixtures, as well as the purchase of furniture and play equipment.

Principal Beryl Aitken said the impending refurbishing and expansion will enhance the teaching and learning processes, as well as the social interaction skills of the children.

- Gareth Davis

Residents of Nine Miles and Taylor Lands demonstrated in Bull Bay on Wednesday morning to express their concerns over the Chalky River, land slippage and other problems in their community.

The residents used debris of all sorts to mount roadblocks in two sections along the main road in the vicinity of the Chalky River as they sought to bring their plight to the attention of the authorities. They called for urgent steps to be taken before the hurricane season, which begins June 1, hits the region.