Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Some schools within prox-imity to Sabina Park, Kingston, were forced to extend classes by three days this week, because of days that will be lost during Cricket World Cup 2007.

As such, while most students went on Christmas holidays last week, pupils and teachers at these schools are busy toiling, trying to ensure that they cover all areas of the curriculum.

Schools to be closed

Kingston College, Jessie Ripoll Primary, Alpha Primary, and Alpha Academy are some of the schools that will be closed between March 13 and March 23 next year to facilitate the staging of Cricket World Cup. Students at these schools usually use the South Camp Road entrance (the road that leads to Sabina Park) to get to classes.

"The children are here and participating in classes," Michael Brown, principal of Jessie Ripoll Primary School, told The Gleaner yesterday.

According to Mr. Brown, his administration explained the situation to students and they co-operated, noting that there was full attendance yesterday.

In addition to three extra days this week, students at Kingston College will return to school on Wednesday, January 3, according to principal Rupert Hemmings. Other schools are scheduled to reopen Monday, January 8.

Mr. Hemmings said the make-up days would ensure that students accomplish the 190 days of school mandated by the Ministry of Education and Youth. Alpha Primary will remain open until tomorrow while Alpha Academy will close today.

Arrangement for GSAT

Meanwhile, an arrangement has been worked out for Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) students at Jessie Ripoll and Alpha Primary to have classes during match days.

Mr. Brown said GSAT students would be accommodated at the school but will use the back entrance on Deanery Road. All other students would be on holiday.

Jessie Ripoll had initially planned to house students off campus and Mr. Brown said parents were relieved to hear that they would be able to have classes on the school grounds.

"It is a sigh of relief for them as parents felt that it would not be healthy for them to have classes off the compound," he said.

Students at Alpha Primary will have classes at Alpha Academy. They will be using the Elletson Road entrance.