Molloy

Two weeks after the start of the school year, some schools are yet to receive textbooks and furniture.

"We are still having problems with furniture: desks and chairs for principals and students," said Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals for Upgraded High Schools.

Stewart noted that a number of schools had sent requests for furniture, but were yet to receive them.

Nadine Molloy, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, told The Gleaner yesterday that while some schools had got furniture, others were still struggling with the limited numbers they had.

In a jam

"Most schools got more students than they bargained for, so they are in a jam," said Molloy.

As it relates to the delivery of textbooks, Molloy said some schools had not received the important resource. In fact, she said that she was not aware that any books had been delivered to Region Two, which covers, Portland, St Mary and sections of St Thomas.

Not pleased

"We are still not pleased with book deliveries," Molloy said, adding that this was creating a serious problem in schools.

Errol Golding, director of technical services in the Ministry of Education, said the ministry had been delivering furniture to schools.

However, he noted that the ministry had difficulty getting them to some schools in St Thomas and sections of rural St Andrew because the Bailey bridge, which was erected after the Hope River bridge in Habour View, St Andrew, collapsed, cannot accommodate the truck which is to transport the books.

He said the ministry plans to transport the furniture through Portland.

Meanwhile, both associations say most parents have been complying with auxiliary fee payments.

The fees are not mandatory, but schools usually ask that students pay them at the beginning of each school year.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com