CHASE Funds $25-Million Upgrade At Pondside Primary And Infant School

Students and staff at Pondside Primary and Infant School in Hanover will enjoy more modern and spacious surroundings when face-to face classes resume, following the completion of infrastructure upgrading of the Infant Department at a cost of $25,410,000.

The construction project, undertaken through financing from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, included refurbishing and expansion works to address the lack of adequate classroom space.

Two fully furnished classrooms and bathrooms were built, in addition to a play area equipped with a playset, perimeter fencing, among other structural improvements.  Kitchen equipment was also provided.

Principal of Pondside Primary and Infant, Rogene McLeod-Henry, tells JIS News that CHASE’s contribution has enhanced the learning environment by improving the structure and overall ambience.

“We now have spacious, well-ventilated classrooms, which are conducive to learning,” she says.

She notes that before the start of the project in November 2020, the Infant Department had one classroom divided into two sections, a students’ restroom and a small play area.

“We now have three spacious classrooms, an administrative area, students’ and teachers’ restrooms, including a shower area for the students, a sickbay and a play area.

“The school is now fully fenced and the CHASE Fund has improved our water supply through the contribution of a large tank and pump system. The electrical features were also upgraded offering better lighting and a fire alarm system was installed. We were provided with furniture – desks, chairs and tables for both teachers and students,” she shares.

Mrs. McLeod-Henry, who has served as principal for 11 years, says that with the improvements, the school is looking to increase enrolment, as more parents have shown interest in registering their children.

She notes that due to the run-down condition of the previous Infant Department building, parents were reluctant to send their children to the school.

“We currently have 22 students enrolled in the Infant Department.  However, with the renovation of the building, we are looking forward to enrolling more children,” she says.

Pondside Primary and Infant School was rationalised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in 2014.

The rationalisation process involves merging clusters of basic schools as well as subsuming some into infant departments of primary schools.

Most of the students enrolled in the school are from neighbouring communities such as Cascade, Woodville, Coolspring and Flint Wood. The land the school occupies is owned by the United Church.

Mrs. McLeod-Henry notes that the students, parents and teachers are all elated and voiced appreciation of the project undertaken by the CHASE Fund.

“The school improvements allow our stakeholders to look forward to inspection and certification of the school, and the students are excited and motivated to attend school,” she says.

“It was an excellent experience working with CHASE. The representatives were courteous, cooperative and they portrayed commendable communication skills. They offered and accepted recommendations and ensured that the school was renovated under quality standards. The work they do for early-childhood institutions in improving infrastructure is highly appreciated,” she added.

Teacher,  Claudia Waite, also shares her elation with JIS News and underscores the importance of creating a stimulating environment for students while they are at school.

“Our students are in their formative years, as these are the years they experience rapid cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. It is important to provide them with a space that enhances their curiosity, attentiveness and love for learning. A stimulating environment is fun, full of warmth, colours and interactive materials that will make it easier for students to be involved in the learning process,” Ms. Waite notes.

For his part, Chief Executive Officer of the CHASE Fund, Billy Heaven, says that CHASE’s involvement in the development of the nation’s early-childhood education sector is “deliberate”.

“We understand that the care and education received during this period will impact children’s academic and social trajectories throughout their lives. Early-childhood education sets the stage for successful academic outcomes and contributes to long-term personal development,” he points out.

He expresses satisfaction with the positive response to CHASE’s efforts, and pledges that the entity will continue to contribute to the early-childhood sector, which consists of approximately 2,707 institutions, 271 of which are infant schools/ departments.