Little Bay Primary and Infant School Gets Bus

Little Bay Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland has received a new school bus, thanks to the National Education Trust (NET) and the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica.

The 29-seater 2024 Toyota Coaster bus was purchased at a cost of $11 million and was acquired through grant funding under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects of the government of Japan.

At the handover ceremony held at the school on March 17, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, said the bus would help to address the transportation challenges faced by the students.

“The students in the community have to rely heavily on bike taxis for transportation, which costs about $300 one way and is not safe enough for children. Under our official development assistance, Japan provides its assistance based on the idea of human security, which emphasises the belief that a human being, irrespective of where and how he or she was born and raised, is entitled to have a healthy, dignified, fulfilling life and should be allowed to develop his or her ability to the maximum extent possible,” he said.

“I firmly believe that education plays the most important role in maintaining the human security concept. In this respect, I can say without doubt that Japan remains committed to helping students by supporting their basic human needs, especially in the field of education,” Mr. Atsumi added.

He informed that, so far, the programme has provided some 15 buses to schools across the island and intends to provide more in the future.

“It is my genuine hope to continue working with the Ministry of Education to further enhance the educational endeavours of all our valuable students, so that they can pursue their dreams of a better tomorrow with hope,” the Ambassador said.

For her part, Acting Chief Education Officer, Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle, said the handover of the bus aligns with the Education Ministry’s Transforming Education for National Development (TREND) initiative, which aims to revolutionise Jamaica’s educational landscape by improving access, equity, and quality across all levels of education.

“Under the TREND programme, partnerships like these are at the heart of the transformation that we seek. We know that it is only through collaborative efforts among governments, organisations, and communities that we can build an education system that meets the needs of every child and supports their dreams, ambitions and potential,” Mrs. Thomas Gayle said.

“[The bus] will address a critical need by providing reliable transportation, ensuring that our students arrive at school safely and on time. This is crucial for improving attendance and punctuality, which are essential for academic success,” she added.

In her remarks, Executive Director of NET, Latoya Harris Ghartey, outlined that the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects have consistently demonstrated their dedication to uplifting communities, ensuring that children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to opportunities they deserve.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Japan, not just for this donation but for their continued belief in our mission and belief in our people and the significance and importance of investing in our children. The bus is not just a vehicle. It represents protection, reliability, and access,” she said.

“It means an opportunity to attend field trips, academic competitions, extracurricular activities. You name it, it opens opportunities and possibilities that shape well-rounded individuals, and that is exactly what we want for our children. This is the work of NET, and this is why we do what we do, because every child, regardless of where they’re from, deserves an opportunity,” Mrs. Harris Ghartey said.

In an interview with JIS News, Principal of the school, Keron King, was overjoyed that the children will no longer require bike taxis to get to school.

“We are extremely appreciative for the partnership with all the organisations involved for ensuring that the school bus was donated. It is a game changer. We will be the first primary and infant school in the parish of Westmoreland to own and operate a school bus,” he said.

“It’s not just transformation, it will also help to improve the overall academic performance of our children by improving their attendance. It also reduces the cost of transportation for some of our parents. Bikes taxis are the children’s primary mode of transportation, so [getting the bus] is very important,” he said.

Mr. King pointed out that the new bus will also serve to increase enrolment at the school, adding that pickup points for the new bus will be Little London, followed by Negril then Brighton in the parish.