Camperdown Primary School in St. Ann Receives Modern Infant Leanring Facility

Camperdown Primary and Infant School in St. Ann has received an upgrade to its infant department through the addition of a modern learning facility capable of accommodating up to 60 students.

The facility was officially handed over on Friday (September 18), following a project carried out between 2024 and 2026 at a cost of approximately $12 million to $14 million.

The upgrade, carried out under the Jamaica Bauxite Institute’s (JBI) Bauxite Community Development Programme (BCDP), transformed the school’s former principal’s cottage into a modern infant department featuring three classrooms, bathrooms, office space, a multipurpose room, computer laboratory and kitchen, along with upgraded electrical and plumbing systems.

Works also included roof repairs and replacement of damaged sections, installation of ceramic tiles, upgraded windows and security grills, air-conditioning, and the construction of a protective wall to enhance safety around the expanded facility.

JBI Field Project Officer, Gilmore Faulknor, said the development demonstrates the positive impact that strong partnerships can have on education.

“Strong early childhood education creates stronger families, stronger communities and, ultimately, a stronger Jamaica,” he stated.

Mr. Faulknor noted that the BCDP has invested more than $1 billion in bauxite communities across Jamaica since its inception, with over $50 million committed to education infrastructure and development initiatives since the programme’s latest phase began this year. He emphasised that, “education remains at the heart of that mission.”

For her part, Principal of Camperdown Primary, Tracey Russell-Sewell, welcomed the transformation, noting that it has created a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.

She noted that the infant department previously operated from the teacher’s cottage and accommodated up to 38 students, with the limited space eventually forcing the school to turn away some children.

“What we are celebrating here is not just the work of one contractor or one principal. It is the result of partnership [among several stakeholders],” Mrs. Russell-Sewell declared.

The Principal indicated that the project evolved beyond simple repairs into a modern facility designed to support early childhood education.

She credited the undertaking’s success to the collaborative support of UC Rusal; Sherwin-Williams; Lydford Mining; the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; WINDALCO; the Early Childhood Commission; past students; community members, and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Senior Education Officer for Region Three in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Fabian Wainwright, said the facility represents an investment in the foundation of children’s education.

“Early childhood education is where we lay a good foundation for the development of our children,” he underscored.

Dr. Wainwright said the upgraded facility will help strengthen literacy, numeracy, character development, technology integration and other areas critical to students’ growth and development.