PEP to Proceed as Scheduled at Fire-Damaged Leeds Primary & Infant School

Emergency measures have been implemented to ensure that grade-six students at Leeds Primary & Infant School in St. Elizabeth can sit their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) assessment next week without disruption.

The move comes against the background of a fire at the institution on Sunday night (March 9) that damaged significant portions of the school building.
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, who toured the facility on Thursday (March 13), commended the “fantastic leadership at this school” for ensuring that the PEP exam will not be affected.

She noted that the grade-six students are currently being accommodated in the infant department where they are actively engaged in preparations for the Performance Task test on March 19.

She said that the Ministry has committed to providing immediate support, through emergency procurement, to retrofit exams rooms in another section of the school for solar power, as the institution remains without electricity.

“The Ministry of Education team has asked that the principal get whatever is needed… get the invoices and so on to us so that we can make sure that [the students] are all ready for PEP next week,” she said.

The fire, which caused millions of dollars in damage, destroyed critical sections of the school, including the office, staff room, and a recently refurbished library. As a result, students have transitioned to online classes.

Recognising that many students lack devices and internet access, the Ministry collaborated with e-Learning Jamaica Limited (e-LJAM) and the Flow Foundation to bridge the gap.

E-Learning’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrew Lee, provided 50 tablets, while the Flow Foundation supplied SIM cards with a 30-day data plan.

“The community spirit is alive. I’ve been so happy to see… the community come together, to see corporate Jamaica come together, and with this you can do anything in our country,” Dr. Morris Dixon said.

She commended the teachers for ensuring that learning continues and the parents and community members who are doing clean-up.

“I’ve seen pastors here; I’ve seen other principals from other schools here supporting this. It is a community effort,” she pointed out.

Principal Christene Dawkins expressed her appreciation for the overwhelming support received from colleagues, parents and education officials.

She thanked all who have rallied around the school to ensure a swift recovery.

Ms. Dawkins said the donated tablets will enable students to continue their education remotely, especially those without internet access at home.

The Principal said she is working to have all students back in a safe and functional school environment as soon as possible.

A team of education officers and psychosocial support staff have been deployed to assess the damage and provide counselling to the students and staff.

Regional Educational Director for Region Five, Susan Nelson Smith, explained that the regional team is committed to providing the necessary resources, including equipment like freezers and printers, to recreate a familiar and supportive school environment.