Low student population puts Jericho All-Age at risk of closure

Chris Bodden, Gleaner Writer

JERICHO, Hanover:Despite having established a record of excellence, the Jericho All-Age-School in Hanover has experienced a decline in its student population in recent times as many parents have transferred their children to other schools.

This worrying trend has seen the current school population dwindle to a mere 26 pupils, which has put the school in danger of being closed, as this is below the required 50.

"I was sent here last September by the Region 4 regional director to fill in for Principal Mrs Murray," acting principal Lynette Rhoden told Western Focus.

"I was surprised at the low enrolment here, and so I got in touch with persons from the community as well as the Concerned Citizens Association, and there was a meeting held between the stakeholders and the Ministry (of Education) to figure a way forward.

"The positive from that is that the school is still dear to the residents of Jericho and they all want to play a role in restoring its lustre, so to speak," Rhoden added.

Members of the Concerned Citizens Association took the initiative to beautify the school building and invited the Grand Palladium Hotel, which is located in neighbouring Point Estate, to assist.

"We were able, through their kind assistance to give the school a facelift for starters - that is a comprehensive paint job," president of the Concerned Citizens Association, Floyd Grant, told Western Focus.

"They provided the supplies, along with a team which was complemented by community members and some students, to paint the interior of the school building. Additionally, some desks were also repaired in that exercise," he said.

"We want to send a message to parents that Jericho All-Age is once again ready to accept students and, to this end, we have planned an Academics Sports Championship Day for the April 16 on the school grounds," he added.

A total of six schools will be participating in the event which Grant says is geared at encouraging harmonious relationships between schools and students as well as community members.

"We want to foster healthy competition and harness the optimum performance from students at the primary level to make them become more rounded citizens," he said.