DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School to Be Repaired by JN Foundation

The Jamaica National (JN) Foundation will be undertaking repairs to the DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School in Catherine Hall, St. James, which sustained major damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, Lead for Youth and Education Programmes at the JN Foundation, Sydoney Preddie, said the school was selected because of its location in one of the most highly impacted areas.

She noted that the institution, which serves over 160 students, suffered significant damage from high winds and floodwaters.

“Reports indicate that the school sustained 95 per cent damage due to flooding. It now has knee-high mud and also lost its roof. Repairing the school is an excellent way to recognise the contributions made to early-childhood education, and also an excellent way to move towards recovery,” she said.

The repair project aligns with the Foundation’s overall focus on early-childhood development as a key partner in the upcoming Regional Colloquium on Early Childhood Education.

The hybrid event, facilitating both in-person and virtual attendees, will be held from November 27 to 28 at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, Mona, St. Andrew, from 9: 00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

It will connect regional stakeholders and educators in shaping early-childhood education development.

Ms. Preddie said the event will be livestreamed to optimise reach in Jamaica and across the region. Educators, policymakers, advocates, students, education partners, and anyone interested in early-childhood education are invited to attend.

“This is a great knowledge-sharing opportunity to learn from regional countries about early-childhood education development, particularly at this time following Hurricane Melissa’s disaster, where we can learn about resilience, sustainability, recovery, and how to move forward as a region to prepare for situations such as these, so that we can continue on our developmental goals,” Ms. Preddie said.

Persons are encouraged to register by visiting www.jnfoundation.com.