Gov’t to Assist with Funeral Expenses of John Rollins Success Primary Students

The Government will be assisting with the funeral expenses of the three John Rollins Success Primary School students who were killed in a motor-vehicle accident along the Rose Hall Main Road in St. James on Tuesday (November 13).

The three students, six-year-old Latisha Williams and sisters eight-year-old Tiara and 10-year-old Tianna Thompson, as well as the driver of the vehicle in which they were travelling, died in the tragic crash, which happened a few metres away from the school.

Two other students of the institution, who were in the vehicle, remain hospitalised.

Speaking with journalists following a visit to the school on Thursday (November 15), Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon Ruel Reid, said the Government will ensure that the necessary assistance is given to the families of the deceased students.

“The Ministry will be partnering with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and other stakeholders, I am sure, will join in. I will make sure that whatever the needs are, a mechanism will be found to offer support,” he said.

Senator Reid and a contingent from the Ministry visited the school to offer comfort and support to the students and staff at the institution.

He met with Principal, Yvonne Miller Wisdom, who expressed that the students and staff have been deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the three students.

The Minister also visited the classroom of each of the students killed in the accident, where he offered words of condolence and comfort to the students and teachers.

“I am just here to say, first of all, how sorry I am that one of your friends is no longer here with us, and I just want to say how sorry we are, on behalf of the Government.

“I pray that those who are still in hospital will be restored to full health. I just pray, overall, that all our children will keep safe at school, safe in travelling to and from school, and safe at home. You are our precious little ones, the future of Jamaica and the world,” the Minister told students and the teacher of Latisha’s grade-one class.

Grade-three teacher, Pelechia Reynolds-Vernon broke down in tears, as she informed Senator Reid of Tiara’s fondness of him.

The Minister, who was moved with emotion, embraced Mrs. Vernon as she struggled to share the information with him.

The empty desks, which once belonged to the deceased students, were adorned with flowers and tributes inscribed on paper.

Meanwhile, in an interview with JIS News, Mrs. Miller Wisdom expressed gratitude to Senator Reid for visiting the institution to offer condolences to the students and staff.

She said that the school has been receiving “tremendous support” from a number of stakeholders, including Custos Rotulorum of St. James, Bishop Conrod Pitkin, the church, and the Peace Management Initiative (PMI).

“I am impressed with the overwhelming support of the stakeholders. Representatives from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) region four was here as well, different church groups, the (Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA)… . I cannot express how grateful I am to all the stakeholders,” Mrs. Miller Wisdom expressed.