Tense start to Middleton Primary School in St. Thomas

 

The school term started off on a tense note for students and staff at Middleton Primary School near Stony Gut, St. Thomas after the main gate to the institution was padlocked by disgruntled parents. 

 

The parents told Radio Jamaica News that they are dissatisfied with unsanitary conditions at the school. 

 

They also claimed there is a lack of teachers at the grade one level.

 

Firefighters from the Morant Bay Station eventually removed the padlock to allow access.

 

Ronnie Duffus, a past student and now parent, is appealing for the issues to be quickly addressed.

 

"I come out this morning and mi carry my two kids to school, and when mi come mi see di gate lock. Suh mi a wonder what is the problem. When mi come dem seh di pit and all those things round there nuh ready. We have long holiday, you can't open a school like this, without nuh pit nuh ready. Di principal supposed to look pon dem things deh, yuh see mi. It nuh good fi di pickney dem, bredda. We nuh want lock down di school because di school just a build up back. Dem mash it up already and wi a try build it back, suh it nuh mek nuh sense, bredda," Mr. Duffus complained.

 

Security is also a concern at the institution.

 

President of the Parent-Teacher Association Donna Campbell said money was obtained through fundraising to erect a perimeter fence, but nothing has been done.

 

She is demanding answers from Principal Jennifer Crawford.

 

"I am the one who go out, collect money and bring everything. Give her money fi fence up, there is no fencing gwaan. So she got to tell me where's the money. Where all those money gone, I don't know. Every time meeting fi call, she's not participating. She don't come to school. She came here this morning. She don't even say good morning. She only walk around, walk at the side and go in. That's not good. So we want justice. Time come. She must go," the PTA president asserted.

 

The principal has committed to providing an update to the media after meeting with parents on Monday.