Most Schools in Central Jamaica Ready for New School Year – Monteith

State Minister for Education and Youth, Senator Noel Monteith, has said that most schools in Central Jamaica were in a state of readiness for the start of the new academic year in September.
Senator Monteith, who spoke to JIS News following a tour of educational institutions in the parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth yesterday (Aug.16) said he was encouraged by the general state of the schools, and for the few institutions that were facing some challenges, the Ministry “would be working around the clock to arrive at a proper solution”.
“The main problem we sometimes face is in regard to the contractors not fulfilling their obligations in terms of the work that they might have been assigned to do. Some might have even started and not finished the job, but we have been having discussions with the principals about alternatives,” he said.
The State Minister indicated that in terms of appointments, nearly all schools now had a principal in place. “In addition, we have also put in place other staff as well as new furniture to deal with the expected increase in the student population of some institutions,” he told JIS News.
“My word to the parents is for them to try and do their part so that their children will be ready to learn. we need to formulate the right sort of partnership that will result in our children achieving their full potential,” he added.
Mr. Monteith, along with Education Minister, Maxine Henry Wilson, has been touring a number of institutions across the island this week, to determine the state of readiness for September.