MP awaiting update on plans for new Mile Gully High school plant

By Kimone Witter    

 

Member of Parliament for North West Manchester, Mikael Phillips is holding the Ministry of Education to its promise for a new school plant for Mile Gully High.

 

Mr. Phillips says Education Minister Fayval Williams has indicated that an update will be provided by the end of this week on the plans to construct a new school.

 

He says there is a grim future for the institution that is grappling with ageing infrastructure and inadequate space for the 700 students.

 

According to Mr. Phillips, an assessment by the Education Ministry revealed that there are only ten habitable classrooms.

 

While Mile Gully High awaits the new school, he is appealing to corporate Jamaica to step in and assist in other areas. 

 

"I want to challenge Jamalco because I want us in North West Manchester to approach mining and community development a little bit different than how the bauxite companies will or usually approach community development. We already have enough community centres in North West Manchester, probably more than any other constituency across the island. 

 

"Yes, we are in need of the computers. It is not about the bushing, it's not about the fixing of potholes. It's not about the greenhouses. Where I want to challenge you is to partner with us in North West Manchester in developing the human capital. At Mile Gully High School, I would say 70 per cent of our cohort that comes in in grade 7, [are] reading at grade two and grade one [level]," he outlined. 

 

The MP was speaking at the handing over of a gift of ten computers and a projector valued at US$13,000 to Mile Gully High School on Wednesday.

 

Bauxite company, Jamalco is engaged in mining in Mile Gully.