Gibraltar Gets New Basic School

A new Basic School was handed over to the Gibraltar community, in St. Ann, by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), on June 10.
The Fund also handed over a new sanitation block to the Gibraltar All Age School the same day.
The projects were funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), under the Basic Needs Trust Fund, and implemented by the JSIF.

Children of the Gibraltar Basic School, in St. Ann, performing at the official handing over ceremony for their new school, on June 10.

In her address at the ceremony, Board member of the JSIF, Celia Champagnie commended the Gibraltar Community Development Committee (CDC) for its hard work and invaluable contribution towards the construction of the new Gibraltar Basic School and the sanitation block.
“While agencies like the JSIF make an invaluable contribution to the development of the education sector, there are no projects, programmes or policies that can substitute for a parent who is involved in their child’s education from day one,” Miss Champagnie said to parents who were in attendance.
She said that responsibility for a child’s education should start at home, hence parents should seek to set high standards for their children, spend time with them and show them love.
“Today with the assistance of our partners we have spent approximately $28.7 million on the construction of the Gibraltar Basic School, which comprises three classrooms; and a sanitation block for the Gibraltar All Age School,” she informed.
“I encourage you to ensure that these new facilities are properly taken care of, so that they will be here for the use of the next generation, of their children and their children’s children,” Miss Champagnie said.
In his comments, the Canadian High Commissioner, His Excellency Stephen Hallihan, said that the children were the custodians of the future.
“Canada is proud and pleased to be a part of this and I would like to pay tribute to JSIF and to Gibraltar for making our visit to the school and to the wider community worth the while,” he said.
Principal at the Gibraltar Basic School, Gloria Reid expressed sincere gratitude for the new facility and thanked JSIF and its partners for making it a reality.
“For many years we were being accommodated by the Gibraltar Baptist Church but the desire for sanitary convenience was a concern. Today we stand before a self contained structure that has the amenities that will assist our children in becoming the leaders of tomorrow,” Mrs. Reid said.
Principal of the Gibraltar All Age School, Ivy Walton pointed out that the provision of the sanitation block was a prayer answered by JSIF.
“The Gibraltar All Age School now boasts a sanitation block, which has helped to boost the morale, self worth and self esteem of the students. We are indeed grateful for this sterling contribution from JSIF,” Mrs. Walton said.
Resident of Gibraltar, Venecia Atkinson, told JIS News that she was feeling happy for the establishment of the new basic school.
“It is really a pleasure to see this wonderful new building. Right now this building is more convenient for the children, it is more spacious and the children have their own play area and I am truly grateful to all those persons who contributed and made this wonderful thing happen in Gibraltar,” Miss Atkinson told JIS News.