Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

Storm damage forced several schools in eastern Portland to close their doors for Wednesday's start to the September term.

Happy Grove High, Fair Prospect High, Fair Prospect Primary and Manchioneal All-Age had to call off classes because of structural damage, power cuts and a lack of tap water caused by Tropical Storm Gustav.

"All our classrooms are inundated," said Deloris Robertson, principal of Manchioneal All-Age. "We are now carrying out extensive cleaning up of the entire building.

"However, support from residents is lacking as they, too, were ravaged by the storm and are attempting to restore their homes and property," she added.

Robertson, in an interview with The Gleaner Wednesday, said every effort was being made to have school reopen next Monday.

Power lines pose danger

"Power lines are lying in the schoolyard. They have to be removed for the safety of students.

"We have no electrical power at this time and it is going to be a challenge replacing windows and roofs, which were damaged during the passage of the storm," she added.

Similar to Manchioneal, classes are expected to begin at Fair Prospect High next Monday, said principal Sylvia McKenzie, who explained that the institution suffered roof and flood damage

"Although the school is without piped water, an arrangement has been made with the National Water Commission for water to be trucked," she said. "We are still without electricity, but we intend to complete our cleaning up for a delayed start on Monday."

Storm damage

At Happy Grove High, it was the same story: No water and no power, as well as damage to the homes of students. Principal Lauriston Lindsay said other factors have contributed to the closure of the school including damage done to the homes of students, teachers and other support staff.

Happy Grove it was expected to open its doors later this week.

Although Fair Prospect Primary is also expected to open its doors on Monday, principal Julie Bailey explained that the school will be operating on a shift basis this time around.

"Only four classrooms are available at this time," she said. "The remainder suffered roof damage and, in order to accommodate students at this time, we are forced to implement a morning and afternoon shift system."

Last term, the student population at Fair Prospect Primary was 395.

With the exception of overcrowding, all the remaining schools, including Titchfield, Port Antonio High, Norwich Primary, Bound-brook Primary and Portland High, opened to meet the new school term.