The razed administrative area of the Sir Clifford Campbell Primary School in Westmore-land is scheduled to be ready by 'September morning'. -Dalton Laing/Freelance Photographer

WESTMORELAND:

The administrative department of the Sir Clifford Campbell Primary School in Westmoreland, which was destroyed by the work of arsonist earlier this month, is scheduled to be up and running by the commencement of the new school year.

Principal of the school, Royland Mitchell, told The Gleaner personnel from the Education Ministry visited the school and assured him the necessary repairs would be conducted to have him settled in time for classes.

Principal Mitchell said shortly before 6:00 a.m. on August 12, neighbours to the school saw fire coming from his office.

Experts from the Savanna-la-Mar Fire Department and investi-gators from the Savanna-la-Mar Police Department agreed the fire was the act of arsonists.

A section of the grilled door was detached from the wall, two blades of the louvre windows were removed and there were signs of break-in from the entrance to the kitchen which gave enough evidence to convince the experts robbery and arson were at work.

Equipment, records destroyed

Five computers, a photocopying machine, refrigerators and other electronics valued at over $1 million were destroyed. All the school's records were also lost in the blaze.

The disaster came at a time when the school was benefiting from an expansion programme from the Ministry of Education and Youth. Work is still in progress for the addition of four classrooms.

"The ministry saw the progress of the school and recognised the necessity to give us these additional classrooms," said Mr. Mitchell.

He also said the school had been doing extremely well and was now filled to capacity.

There are just over 700 students at the school and this number is expected to increase this school year, he said.

Sir Clifford Campbell Primary was built in 1968 and was named the St. Mary Leased School since it was erected on lands owned by the Roman Catholic Church.

Two years later it was renamed after former Governor-General Sir Clifford Campbell.

- Dalton Laing