Boscobel Primary School Rebuilt and Expanded

The Boscobel Primary School in St. Mary has been rebuilt and expanded through the collaborative efforts of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA).The school, which was established in 1847, was in a state of disrepair in addition to being overcrowded, making conditions uncomfortable for its five teachers and 218 students.
In an effort to address the situation, the PTA approached the JSIF for assistance and the agency was able to source $9.5 million to fund the demolition of the original structure and the rebuilding of the institution.
Of that amount, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) provided $5.2 million, which was used to flatten the old building and to construct a three-classroom complex with staff room and bathrooms, while $4.3 million came from the CDB’s Basic Needs Trust Fund and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for the building of an additional three-classroom structure, complete with principal’s office and storeroom, as well as the erection of a perimeter fence to enclose the school compound.
The project was completed in May and handed over to the community on June 8. Project contractor was Guarantee Construction Company.
Among the communities that will immediately benefit from the project are Boscobel Heights, Stewart Town, Rio Nuevo and Mango valley.
Communications Officer at JSIF, Latoya Halstead, who spoke to JIS News on June 13, said her organization was pleased to be associated with the school and commended the school’s PTA for its role in the successful completion of the project.
She encouraged the Boscobel community to protect the facility for the benefit of the children.