Lack of electricity hindering preparation of some schools for September start

By Racquel Porter    

 

First Vice President of the Jamaica Association of Principals and Vice Principals, Linton Weir, says the lack of electricity at a number of schools, including Cross Keys High in Clarendon, is hampering preparation ahead of the start of the new academic year in September.

 

Mr. Weir pointed out that some parents have not yet received report cards, as the process is yet to be completed due to the lack of power. 

 

"They (some schools) were not able to complete their final assessment in terms of the appraisal of their teachers. They have not been able to put together their school improvement plan because all of those things rely heavily on electricity," he explained. 

 

That school was recently forced to power its graduation ceremony using a motor vehicle as a result of having no electricity from the grid.

 

Mr. Weir said there is a possibility that some schools might not meet the September 2, resumption date. 

 

"Those schools that have been affected seriously in terms of electricity, they are going to be still remaining in the starting blocks. They are going to have challenges getting out of the starting block for September, and Cross Keys is one of them. And there are other schools that have been affected as it relates to electricity," he pointed out. 

 

While he acknowledged that the Jamaica Public Service Company has been "doing as much as they can" to restore power, Mr. Weir insisted the affected schools must quickly have their electricity restored so they adequately prepare for the start of schools in September. 

 

He was speaking Wednesday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106.