Lone teacher seeks assistance for her school in Portland

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Joyce Anderson, principal of Moore Town Basic School in Portland is appealing for help to restore electricity, and water supply to that institution.

The school is also plagued by a shortage of other resources, explained Anderson, who is the lone teacher at the school.

According to Anderson, the school could accommodate more students, but was challenged by resource issues. Parents, she said, have opted to send their children elsewhere.

"Our problems started from as early as May of this year," she said.

"I informed all the relevant functionaries including the school board, and the Parent-Teachers' Association of the difficulty we were experiencing as it relates to light and water. And despite doing that, no one has responded to date, and we are therefore left to fend for ourselves," explained Anderson.

The two-classroom facility, which presently accommodates 24 students from ages 3 to 5 years old, is complemented by one other staff member, a young woman who prepares daily meals for the students.

During a visit to the school by The Gleaner yesterday, the principal pointed out that the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) local office in Port Antonio had been kind to the institution, allowing the staff to offer meals to the students at the start of the new school year last week.

"The school was handed $4,000 by JPS to assist with the purchase of meals for students.

"Had it not been for them, we would not be able to provide lunch for them," Anderson explained.

Rehabilitation work

Yesterday Patrick Lee, care-taker for the Jamaica Labour Party in Eastern Portland, contracted the services of a local electrician to carry out rehabilitation work to help restore the school's power supply.

In addition, Lee also donated money for the purchase of a cylinder of gas.

"I am relieved that at least someone has decided to assist us. We will now be able to use our stove to cook lunch for the kids, and very soon the lights should be up and running. Inside the classrooms are dark at times, as this area is rainy. I am even more confident now that someone else will come on board to assist us with nutrition in the form of food supply," said Anderson.