Martha Brae Basic School gets Face-Lift

The Martha Brae Basic School in Trelawny has received a major face-lift, courtesy of the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Falmouth.

The exercise was carried out on Saturday, May 19, when a major beautification project was undertaken at the 12-year old school, including the painting of the interior and exterior of the building.

This event was part of the EOJ’s annual pre-Labour Day project for early childhood institutions and primary schools, where they seek to make places of learning comfortable for young learners.

Principal of the school, Erica Muirhead, said the gesture has come at an opportune time, because the school really needed the face-lift to satisfy standards laid down by the Education Ministry.

“This project is of great help. I am overwhelmed with what has taken place. For a while we have been in such needs, but we are thankful that the EOJ came to our assistance and helped to alleviate most of the problems. It is the best our classrooms have ever looked in 12 years,” she said.

Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher, informed that the idea of the EOJ having Labour Day projects in support of communities started over a decade ago. “What we aim to do is to identify a school, preferably a basic school, and we have also done primary schools which are used as polling stations, and which we found to be in need of some assistance or repair,” he said.

“The project is headed primarily by the EOJ sports club, and what we do is seek assistance from persons who do business with the Electoral Office – any contribution towards the project in terms of equipment, such as: paint brushes, rollers and other items,” he added.  

The Director said that the EOJ has worked in St. James, St. Elizabeth and other parts of the island, “and every year we identify a project."

Mr. Fisher added that the EOJ works closely with the community members, and also seeks assistance from the parents who have students attending the respective schools. He said that EOJ staff members from across the island usually volunteer to work on these projects.

The Rotaract Club of Falmouth gave their support as part of their ongoing dedication to the improvement of educational facilities in their communities.

By Jermane Stewart, JIS Reporter