Baxter’s Mountain Primary appeals for urgent repairs

Flooded classrooms and a torn-off roof tell the painful story of Baxter’s Mountain Primary in St Mary, where students and teachers are appealing for urgent repairs.

Hurricane Melissa left a trail of destruction across Jamaica, and the small school community is struggling to recover after extensive damage to its roof, furniture, appliances and water tanks.

Principal Sherene Harris said the damage poses a serious challenge for reopening.

“We suffered extensive damage to the school’s roof as zinc was ripped apart. It is an old structure and the roofing was probably done decades ago,” Harris said.

She explained that staff tried to prepare ahead of the storm. “We have a poultry house at school, so we placed sandbags on top of it and ply boards around it. For the school building, we put electronic devices in plastic bags. The roof, which is probably over 50 years old and badly in need of repair, was damaged. Half of it is gone, and now we are struggling to reopen.”

Limited resources and widespread hurricane damage mean help may take time. “We are requesting material to repair the top of the school, including board and zinc, and whatever resources we can get to pay workmen. With exams around the corner, we really need our students prepared to sit these exams,” the principal said.

The school, with 61 students, faces another challenge: access. Whenever it rains, teachers and pupils are unable to cross a ford that floods, cutting off vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

“There is no bridge and no alternative route. If the rain comes while we are at school, we are marooned until the river goes down. Our immediate need is a bridge, so students can attend school regardless of the weather,” Harris said.

She noted that construction experts have already assessed the damage. “Their recommendation is that the entire roof has to be replaced. But for now we want something to be done so students can resume classes in the interim,” she concluded.

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