Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

HENRY-WILSON

A dual school is to be operated on the grounds of the José Marti Technical High School in St. Catherine, with the introduction of additional school spaces for grades seven to nine students, according to Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education and Youth.

Currently, there are 14 technical schools in the island, eight of which cater for grades seven to 11 students, while the remaining six cater to grades nine to 11.

Up to a year ago, José Marti facilitated grades nine to 11 pupils. The institution, however, currently accepts students from grades seven to 11 because of the demand for school spaces in St. Catherine.

"We are planning to have two schools, a technical and a high school," Mrs. Henry-Wilson said.

She noted that the details for the establishment of the high school, which is to be constructed on the compound, have not yet been fully worked out. However, discussions are currently under way.

Plans to provide teachers

The Education Minister told The Gleaner on Tuesday, during a tour of the school, that there are also plans to provide teachers for grades seven to nine, as well as to develop a curriculum for the students.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson said space was not an issue at the school, and noted that the main concern would be discipline. A proper management system would, however, alleviate such a problem, she argued.

But Bevar Moodie, principal of the institution, said he was concerned about the overcrowding the additional students would bring.

"The main concern is ultimately the enrolment of the school is going to be too large," he told The Gleaner on Tuesday.

There are currently 1,256 students on roll at José Marti. The school sits on 30 acres of sprawling savannah and was established on January 10, 1977 as a gift from the Cuban Government. It had obtained 150 acres of farmland from the Government, which was maintained by students under the supervision of members of staff who were qualified in the fields of agronomy and animal husbandry to complement the other academic and practical courses.

In the meantime, some students at the school will have to wait until the third week in September before the additional classroom spaces that were to be ready for the opening of school are available.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson said the classroom spaces were delayed because the contractor had difficulty sourcing cement.

Mr. Moodie said he was concerned that the building would not be ready for the first week in September but noted that contingencies would be put in place to accommodate the students.