Education Minister Salutes School Leaders

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has lauded the leadership and staff of schools severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, noting that they have shown resilience in the face of significant damage and loss.

“They are not just sitting down and that is why I say we have some of the best principals you can find anywhere in the world, the best teachers and best board chairs that you can find. They are here and they are trying to see what they can do,” she said.

Minister Morris Dixon was speaking during a visit to the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) on Sunday (November 2) to get a first-hand look at the damage to the institution.

The school suffered significant damage to classrooms, the school farm and greenhouse, the principal and teachers’ cottages and the track and field athletes’ dorms.  A section of the perimeter wall has also broken away.

She commended the principal and staff for applying themselves to the rebuilding task while also assisting the surrounding communities.

“I feel so proud of the leadership at our schools, and especially at STETHS. It is devastating to see, but your spirits are lifted when you see leadership like this,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon noted that the priority is to get students back into the classrooms as soon as possible.

“It is going to need a lot of support… .  Government is going to work as hard as we can for all the schools that we see that have had tremendous damage,” she said.

Principal of STETHS, Keith Wellington, said the administration is committed to the development of the school and the surrounding community.

“Whatever is required, if we are in a position to help our community members, we want to be able to help them as well,” he said.

The Education Minister also visited the Manchester-based Holmwood Technical High School on Sunday, where staff were engaged in clean-up and restoration activities.

“I know they don’t have electricity at home. Many of them don’t have water at home, and they’re here on this Sunday morning helping to put the school back together so that they can have students come in as soon as they can.

“So, I salute the principal and your team for what you are doing, and I know it’s quite difficult because they are also having challenges at home,” she said.

Principal of Holmwood Technical High, Hidran McKulsky, reported that there was significant damage to classrooms, dormitories, farm and rainwater harvesting system.

“What we are trying to do is to have the dormitory temporarily restored so that we can have our students return to campus where we can provide for them and take the burden off the parents and the families,” the  Principal said.