Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

Students of Manchester High School gather on the school compound awaiting instructions on the first day of school, on Monday. - Photo by Angelo Laurence

Schools in and around the Mandeville area opened with little hitches with thousands of students showing up for the first day of the new academic year.

Manchester High School, near the heart of the town and the largest in the region with about 2,000 students, opened with what one teacher termed "smooth sailing". When The Gleaner visited the school, hundreds of students were seen at the amphitheatre being briefed.

A spokeswoman at Mandeville Primary and Junior High School reported that the institution and staff were ready for the start of the term. However, some parents were tardy in registering their children prior to opening day. This, she said, caused a slight delay in getting things off the ground.

While other schools were reporting problems such as shortage of furniture and space, the McIntosh Primary and Junior High School in Williamsfield had to curtail its opening day activities. Acting principal Mrs. Hyacinth Larmont told The Gleaner that the school's canteen and bathrooms were not acceptable.

She said they were vandalised and repair work to restore them was not completed.

She said officials from the Ministry of Education visited the school and after consultation, it was decided to close early on the first day to allow for the needed repairs to be completed. The school was expected to reopen yesterday with a full complement of students.