Japan Donates Two School Buses to Muschette High

Students of Muschette High School in Trelawny will benefit from safer, more reliable transportation through a grant agreement with the Embassy of Japan for two school buses.

The agreement was formalised on Tuesday (January 27) during a grant-signing ceremony at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s Student Assessment Unit Conference Room at the Caenwood Centre in Kingston, under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

Speaking during the ceremony, State Minister, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, noted that the US$151,588 grant will fund the purchase of two 29-seater Toyota Coaster buses, which she described as “infrastructure for equity”.

She noted that the buses will ensure safety, improve access and enhance reliability for students.

“Every child on a secure school bus is a child protected from vulnerabilities of the public roads. It is a peace of mind for parents knowing their children are in the school’s care from the moment they leave their gates,” the State Minister added.

Ms. Crawford explained that improved transportation will enhance attendance and performance, noting, “By reducing the volatility of transportation, we increase the consistency of attendance… and we know that attendance is a precursor to performance.”

The State Minister pointed out that the initiative tackles barriers limiting students’ access to education.

“At our Ministry, a primary goal of ours is to dismantle the barriers that stand between a child’s potential and their success,” she said, noting that “those barriers are not always academic… sometimes they are financial, and very often they are physical.”

Ms. Crawford acknowledged that transportation remains a major issue for students, describing it as “the simple yet difficult challenge of moving a child from point A to point B safely and reliably”.

She stated that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, has begun tackling the issue through the National Rural School Bus Programme.

Meanwhile, Ms. Crawford highlighted Japan’s enduring support to Jamaica, stressing that the relationship “has never been merely ceremonial” but “consistent, practical, and focused on human capital and national development”.

She also acknowledged the National Education Trust (NET), describing it as “the engine room for public‑private partnerships”.

“Through the Rural School Bus Transportation Programme, they have successfully identified the need at Muschette High School and matched it with the generosity of our Japanese partners,” Ms. Crawford further stated.

Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Kohei Maruyama, noted that the ceremony was especially meaningful, as it marked his first grant signing since assuming office.

He also expressed solidarity with Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, noting Japan’s understanding of the hardships caused by natural disasters.

Ambassador Maruyama reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to advancing human security and education.

“The Government of Japan places strong emphasis on the concept of human security. This approach aims to protect and empower individuals, so that they can live with dignity. We look forward to celebrating the handover… with Muschette High School… and to seeing the support contribute to the safe and reliable transportation of students,” he added.

Muschette High’s Principal, Leighton Johnson, expressed deep gratitude for the donation, calling the occasion historic.

He noted that transportation costs represent about 22 per cent of the school’s annual expenditure, posing a significant challenge.

“So the donation of these two buses will, therefore, play a critical role in reducing our transportation cost to students while significantly increasing the possibilities for student learning and exposure beyond our walls,” Mr. Johnson said.

He added that the buses will broaden opportunities for educational trips, competitions, and co‑curricular activities, all vital to students’ holistic development.