Prep work to start for relocation of infirmary residents from Hague Primary in Trelawny, says parish official

Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday on preparations to relocate 55 residents of the Trelawny Infirmary from Hague Primary School, according to Andrew Harrison, chief executive officer of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation.

The update comes amid mounting concern from stakeholders at Hague Primary in Trelawny over what they describe as the slow pace of efforts to secure alternative accommodation for the infirmary residents who have been occupying the school since Hurricane Melissa destroyed their facility in October.

“Work is scheduled to start today,” he told The Gleaner. “My technical team has reported that the base to accommodate the prefab buildings, along with the sewage system, is on the way.”

The prefabricated structures are being considered for a site on Cornwall Street in Falmouth.

Stakeholders in the school community have raised concerns that the work is not proceeding fast enough to enable the school to be ready for students next month.

“I am extremely concerned about the continued occupation of the school by residents of the infirmary. This has affected face-to-face teaching and learning,” said Natalie Wilson, president of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association. The school has more than 800 students enrolled.

She expressed particular concern for Grade Six students who are preparing to sit the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations early next year, noting that they have already lost approximately two months of instruction.

“These students are set to sit exams in a matter of months, having lost valuable teaching time. It is not fair to them,” Wilson said.

School principal Damien Elvin declined to comment in detail, stating simply, “I want my school.”

The new school term is scheduled to begin on January 5.

Concerns have also been raised within the political directorate. Councillor for the Martha Brae Division, Roydell Hamilton, said he was frustrated by the lack of progress.

“The minister, Desmond McKenzie, promised three weeks ago that a set of prefab buildings would be placed on a site to house the infirmary. To date, with the opening of school set for January 5, we have heard nothing. The education of the students is bound to suffer,” Hamilton said.

Earlier this month, Trelawny Municipal Corporation Chairman Collen Gager said the patients and residents of the infirmary will be relocated to a new facility by January.

- Leon Jackson

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